diabetes 2

Diabetes information is essential in patients who have either type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. When diagnosed with diabetes
the health implications can be devastating but understanding what the disease is and what changes you can implement to assist in leading a healthy life is important in controlling any ill effects. Making a few lifestyle changes and ensuring you have regular doctor checkups to monitor your progress is important in maintaining a healthy life. With a few simple changes you can enhance the quality as well as the length of life.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes that is diagnosed in people today. Many older people
past the age of thirty
are diagnosed with this condition. It is much rarer to see this in children and teens
though it does occur. The condition is based on the body not producing enough insulin or rejecting the insulin that is produced. Type 2 diabetes and health is a somewhat complicated course to navigate but a healthy diabetes diet and continual monitoring from your physician
you can decrease your risks of additional complications. Learning to live with this disease is tantamount in upholding your overall health and well being. Complications from type 2 diabetes include increasing your chances of heart disease and kidney disease
complications involving your eye sight
foot and skin problems and increased risk of stroke. These risks can be reduced
though.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is generally diagnosed in children and young adults and is not as prevalent in older people. The term also used to be known as juvenile diabetes. This is where insulin is not produced in the body. Metabolism in diabetes mellitus plays a large part. However
there are lifestyle changes that can occur
including diet
that will help better control the effects and lessen the risk of more serious complications. Complications and additional health risks are similar to those of type 2 diabetes and include heart
nerve
muscular
skin and eye problems.

Exercise is one of the important lifestyle changes that should occur if you are diagnosed with diabetes. Exercise should be a regular activity in everyone’s life and there is no denying the benefits that can be gained from it. With diabetes
though
it is especially important to remain active. First
exercise will promote weight loss and will also kick start the metabolism. Both will allow your body to be more sensitive to the insulin that is produced in the body. Ensuring you start an exercise program if you do not yet have one is very important. Check with your doctor before embarking on anything
though
to ensure your activities match your fitness level. Walking
swimming and using a trampoline are good
low impact exercises that can help.

You will need to become educated about the different food groups and which foods have various characteristics. Your physician or a nutrition specialist will be able to assist you with this and give you lists of which types of foods are in each category. Eating foods that digest slower will help you reduce the after meal spike that sometimes occurs. Carbohydrates are a key element in the diabetes diet and will help control the after-meal spikes that occur in diabetics. Adjusting the amount of fatty foods you consume is also an important aspect of maintaining a healthy diabetes diet. It not only will help reduce calories
thus allowing you to lose weight but will also help you process the insulin produced in your body.

It often helps diabetics to eat more often as opposed to eating breakfast
lunch and dinner. Eating smaller portions of food more frequently can often give a more even feeling and keep insulin levels steadier throughout the day. If you are prescribed medications
either oral medications or insulin shots
it is important to take them per the physician’s directions. Do not skip or delay medications. Also
if you are supposed to test
always test daily
as your physician recommends or anytime you are feeling a bit low.

Getting all the diabetes information available on what it is and how to control it with a diabetes diet and exercise is important in ensuring you lead a happy
healthy life. People with diabetes can lead very good
long lasting lives with some simply changes in lifestyle and diet. After changes become habit
there will be no sense of deprivation. You will feel better
lose weight and be more active. Your risks of more severe complications will decrease significantly and your chances of living longer will increase.

Controlling blood sugar (glucose) levels is one of the most important aspects of diabetes management. It will make you feel better in the short-term and it will help you to stay fit and healthy in the long term.

The National Committee on Prevention Detection Evaluation
the chromium and many interesting articles. People who do not have diabetes keep their blood glucose levels within a narrow range for most of the time. The beta cells in the pancreas are able to produce just the right amount of insulin at the right time and they are constantly fine-tuning the blood glucose level. People with diabetes do not have this fine control over their blood glucose levels.

This might be because the beta cells have been destroyed and there is no insulin production at all
as in Type 1 diabetes. Alternatively
it may be that the body does not respond to the insulin and/or not enough insulin is produced when it is needed
as in Type 2 diabetes. The approach to managing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is slightly different
but whichever type of diabetes you have
you will still need to step in and take over that fine-tuning of your blood glucose level.

Controlling blood glucose levels is a bit like trying to lasso an unruly animal. Blood glucose is dynamic; it changes constantly and it is influenced by a host of factors including your choice of food
how much you eat
the timing of your medication or insulin
your emotions
illnesses
your weight
and your body's resistance to insulin.

Some of these factors are relatively constant from day to day and are quite easily accounted for; some factors are more variable. No two days are ever exactly the same
or entirely predictable
and this makes it difficult. So
blood glucose is not easily lassoed.

In practical terms
you will need to learn about those things that raise your blood glucose level and those things that lower your blood glucose level. Then you will need to balance these factors on a day-to-day and possibly even hour-by-hour basis. This means coordinating medication
food and activity levels
whilst making appropriate allowances for stress
illness or changes in your daily activities.

You will be aiming to avoid the extreme highs and lows
trying to manipulate your blood glucose toward the normal range. You will be doing regular finger-prick blood glucose tests and using these results to help balance those things that make your blood glucose rise with those that make it fall. When you have evened out your blood glucose level you will still need to keep an eye on it and continue to make adjustments.

Controlling blood glucose is a continuous process and it will require your attention from now on
for the rest of your life. Don’t worry! It may sound daunting to you right now
but it will soon become second nature.

People who do not have diabetes have blood glucose levels between 4 and 8 mmol/l for most of the time. In general
people with diabetes should try to aim for test results between 4 and 10 mmol/l most of the time. Some people – pregnant women
for example – will need to aim for tighter control. Other people – young children
the elderly
or those at risk of severe hypoglycemia
for example – will need to aim for higher levels.

Your diabetes team will give you individual guidance on the blood glucose levels that you should be aiming for.

In the short term
controlling blood glucose levels is important in order to avoid diabetic emergencies – very high or very low blood glucose levels. Both of these conditions are unpleasant and can be dangerous
so they should be avoided if at all possible.

High blood glucose levels in Type 1 diabetes
if caused by a lack of insulin
can lead to a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis or ‘DKA’ which can be fatal if it is not treated in time.

Sixteen million Americans have diabetes
yet many are not aware of it. African Americans
Hispanics and Native Americans have a higher rate of developing diabetes during their lifetime. Diabetes has potential long term complications that can affect the kidneys
eyes
heart
blood vessels and nerves. A number of pages on this web site are devoted to the prevention and treatment of the complications of diabetes. (see Diabetes Symptoms)

In diagnosing diabetes
physicians primarily depend upon the results of specific glucose tests. However
test results are just part of the information that goes into the diagnosis of diabetes. Doctors also take into account your physical exam
presence or absence of symptoms
and medical history. Some people who are significantly ill will have transient problems with elevated blood sugars which will then return to normal after the illness has resolved. Also
some medications may alter your blood glucose levels (most commonly steroids and certain diuretics (water pills)).

The TWO main tests used to measure the presence of blood sugar problems are:

1. Direct measurement of glucose levels in the blood during an overnight fast
2. Measurement of the body's ability to appropriately handle the excess sugar presented after drinking a high glucose drink.

Self Testing Methods
Regular self-testing of your blood sugar tells you how well your combination of diet
exercise
and medication are working. Tests are usually done before meals and at bedtime. More frequent testing may be needed when you are sick or under stress.

A device called a Glucometer can provide an exact blood sugar reading. There are different types of devices. Usually
you prick your finger with a small needle called a lancet
which gives you a tiny drop of blood. You place the blood on a test strip
and put the strip into the device. Results are available within 30 to 45 seconds.

A health care provider or diabetes educator will help set up an appropriate testing schedule for you. You will also be taught how to respond to different ranges of glucose values obtained when you self-test.

The results of the test can be used to adjust meals
activity
or medications to keep blood sugar levels in an appropriate range. Testing provides valuable information for the health care provider and identifies high and low blood sugar levels before serious problems develop. Accurate record keeping of test results will help you and your health care provide plan how to best control your diabetes. There are 20.8 million children and adults in the US with diabetes
and nearly one-third of them (or 6.2 million people) do not know it!

Sixteen million Americans have diabetes
yet many are not aware of it. African Americans
Hispanics and Native Americans have a higher rate of developing diabetes during their lifetime. Diabetes has potential long term complications that can affect the kidneys
eyes
heart
blood vessels and nerves. A number of pages on this web site are devoted to the prevention and treatment of the complications of diabetes. (see Diabetes Symptoms)

In diagnosing diabetes
physicians primarily depend upon the results of specific glucose tests. However
test results are just part of the information that goes into the diagnosis of diabetes. Doctors also take into account your physical exam
presence or absence of symptoms
and medical history. Some people who are significantly ill will have transient problems with elevated blood sugars which will then return to normal after the illness has resolved. Also
some medications may alter your blood glucose levels (most commonly steroids and certain diuretics (water pills)).

The TWO main tests used to measure the presence of blood sugar problems are:

1. Direct measurement of glucose levels in the blood during an overnight fast
2. Measurement of the body's ability to appropriately handle the excess sugar presented after drinking a high glucose drink.

Self Testing Methods
Regular self-testing of your blood sugar tells you how well your combination of diet
exercise
and medication are working. Tests are usually done before meals and at bedtime. More frequent testing may be needed when you are sick or under stress.

A device called a Glucometer can provide an exact blood sugar reading. There are different types of devices. Usually
you prick your finger with a small needle called a lancet
which gives you a tiny drop of blood. You place the blood on a test strip
and put the strip into the device. Results are available within 30 to 45 seconds.

A health care provider or diabetes educator will help set up an appropriate testing schedule for you. You will also be taught how to respond to different ranges of glucose values obtained when you self-test.

The results of the test can be used to adjust meals
activity
or medications to keep blood sugar levels in an appropriate range. Testing provides valuable information for the health care provider and identifies high and low blood sugar levels before serious problems develop. Accurate record keeping of test results will help you and your health care provide plan how to best control your diabetes. There are 20.8 million children and adults in the US with diabetes
and nearly one-third of them (or 6.2 million people) do not know it!

Hypoglycemia is a medical term referring to a pathologic state produced by a lower than normal amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The term hypoglycemia literally means "low blood sugar".

Hypoglycemia can produce a variety of symptoms and effects but the principal problems arise from an inadequate supply of glucose as fuel to the brain
resulting in impairment of function. Derangements of function can range from vaguely "feeling bad" to coma and (rarely) death. Hypoglycemia can arise from many causes
and can occur at any age. The most common forms of moderate and severe hypoglycemia occur as a complication of treatment of diabetes mellitus with insulin or oral medications.

Presence or absence of effects: are symptoms more important than the number?

Research in healthy adults shows that mental efficiency declines slightly but measurably as blood glucose falls below 65 mg/dl in many people. Hormonal defense mechanisms
adrenaline and glucagon
are activated as it drops below a threshold level which is about 55 mg/dl for most people
producing the typical symptoms of shakiness and dysphoria.

On the other hand
obvious impairment does not often occur until the glucose falls below 40 mg/dl
and up to 10% of the population may occasionally have glucose levels below 65 in the morning without apparent effects. Brain effects of hypoglycemia
termed neuroglycopenia
determine whether a given low glucose is a "problem" for that person
and hence some people tend to use the term hypoglycemia only when a moderately low glucose is accompanied by symptoms.

Diabetic hypoglycemia represents a special case with respect to the relationship of measured glucose and hypoglycemic symptoms for several reasons. Although home glucose meter readings are sometimes misleading
the probability that a low reading accompanied by symptoms represents real hypoglycemia is higher in a person who takes insulin. Second
the hypoglycemia has a greater chance of progressing to more serious impairment if not treated
compared to most other forms of hypoglycemia that occur in adults. Third
because glucose levels are above normal most of the time in people with diabetes
hypoglycemic symptoms may occur at higher thresholds than in people who are normoglycemic most of the time. For all of these reasons
people with diabetes usually use higher meter glucose thresholds to determine hypoglycemia.

Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor for more information about Hypoglycemia.

Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made
and the entire resource box is included.

In recent years an alternative to manual insulin injections has emerged. Enter the Insulin Pump. The first Insulin Pumps were quite bulky
but modern ones are about the size of a small Cellphone or Pager. The pump is worn unobtrusively on a belt or in a pocket and it delivers insulin through a thin plastic tube (or Infusion Set) that is inserted under the skin.

WHY AN INSULIN PUMP IS BETTER

In a healthy person
the pancreas produces insulin constantly at low levels
keeping blood glucose levels stable. When a meal is eaten
the pancreas will send larger amounts of insulin into the blood stream to handle the food. Using a standard injection regime
slow and fast acting insulin is used to try and mimic the pancreas. An insulin pump much more closely copies the pancreas. The pump delivers a low level of background insulin (called basal) and at meal times can deliver a "bolus" dose at the touch of a button
to cover the food.

Just like a real pancreas
if you are ill
or exercising
the basal insulin rate can be reduced. If you skip a meal
the bolus is not delivered. In this way
the pump fits into your lifestyle
rather than planning your life around your injection schedule!

CHOOSING AN INSULIN PUMP

Most insulin pumps on the market today have all the basic features. Choosing one
is much like chosing a Cellphone
it is a mixture of personal taste and what you
plan on using it for. If you are a water sports fan
waterproof ones area available!
If you love analysing data to improve your control
you can get one with PC download
capability and analysis software. If you are new to the world of Insulin Pumps

here are some key points to think about:

• Choose a pump that allows you to set up different basal levels. For instance at night time
  if you are sick or exercising. This is an important feature to help you live a full life.


• Pumps that use a standard "Luer Lock" infusion sets are better. This means cheaper consumables.


• Alerts to remind you to check your blood glucose level make life easier.


• Check what batteries it takes
  standard AA or AAAs are cheaper and easier to buy.


• More advanced pumps include a carbohydrate calculator to help you figure out what your meal Bolus dose should be.


• Coming to the market are integrated Insulin Pump/Glucose meters. The meters readings are automatically transferred to the pump which can use them to recommend an insulin dose.

Other features to look for include
being waterproof
having a carbohydrate food database and alerts to warn you if you have missed a meal
or the infusion set needs changing. In short
Insulin pump manufacturers are making
their products ever easier to use and automating more and more features. Life is getting better for diabetics!


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q What if I don't get on with the pump
can I switch back to injections?

A Yes. It is not a one way ticket
but most people do notice an improvement in their blood glucose control and find their lives improved.

Q I have a really hectic lifestyle
is a pump for me?

A Yes. Infact people who are extremely busy often see the biggest improvement. If you struggle to remember to test and inject at the right time - perhaps meal times vary from day to day
then a pump could really help you.

Q I am considering a pump but may get pregnant
is that ok?

A Yes. As pumps usually improve your blood glucose control
using a pump through pregancy and beyond is generally a good thing. Having as close to normal blood glucose levels reduces the chances of complications during pregnancy.

Q What are the costs?

A The initial outlay is in the order of a few thousand dollars
but prices are coming down all the time. Infusion sets need changing regularly too. The latest prices can be found from various diabetes suppliers on the web.

In the past
diabetes was never such a big epidemic like it is today. People often thought of diabetes as simply a body condition where one must reduce one’s sugar and fat intake. Little did people know that diabetes could end up causing blindness!

Now that diabetes is reaching epidemic levels in most of the western world
this problem is becoming more and more serious. Vision is one of our most critical senses and in this "need for speed" information era
over 70% of our sensory information comes through our eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology
diabetics are 25 times more likely to lose vision than those who are not diabetic.

With diabetes already being the number one cause of blindness in the United States
it's no wonder eye care professionals are predicting a devastating increase in vision loss as the diabetic epidemic grows alarmingly.

People newly diagnosed with diabetes often have nothing more than minor vision fluctuations which settle when blood sugar levels improve with treatment. Early on it's easy to believe everything is fine. After some years though
continuing high blood sugar can gradually damage the blood vessels at the back of the eye in the retina. This causes a problem called diabetic retinopathy and the longer you have diabetes the more likely you are to have retinopathy. The risk increases further when there is poor control of blood sugar levels. More than 70% of diabetics develop some changes in their eyes within 15 years of diagnosis.

Now
what exactly is retinopathy? There are 2 types of retinopathy. Retinopathy is graded as Non-proliferative or Proliferative. Non-proliferative retinopathy is the common milder form
where small retinal blood vessels break and leak. There may be some mild retinal swelling but it rarely requires treatment unless it causes hazy central vision or straight lines appear bent.

On the other hand
proliferative retinopathy is the less common
but more serious form where new blood vessels grow abnormally within the retina. If these vessel scar or bleed they can lead to potentially serious vision loss including blindness. Early laser treatment can seal leaking vessels and slow the progress of diabetic retinopathy
but can't reverse existing vision loss.

Although there is no real cure or method to eliminate the risk of diabetic eye damage
you can do two important things to help prevent the more serious complications. The critical first step is making sure you stabilize and control your blood sugar with a healthy diet and regular exercise. The second step is to make sure you have a yearly diabetic eye examination.

Diabetes is a disease that mostly affects blood vessels and in it's extreme forms can lead to serious heart disease
stroke and kidney damage. Clearly these life threatening diabetic vascular diseases deserve priority attention
but high on the critical list for diabetics is the risk of serious eye disease and loss of vision. Make sure you check up with a qualified doctor to prevent diabetes-related eye problems! An experienced eye care professional can pick up subtle diabetic eye changes long before you notice any vision change
and more importantly
early enough to do some good.

If you suspect that you or a close one has diabetes – or if diabetes is already present – now is the time to seek a doctor for a detailed eye check up before it’s too late! Don’t let diabetes claim another person’s vision!

What if you are diagnosed with diabetes? Are you going to stay indoors and just inject yourself with insulin everyday? Maybe you need to understand the facts about diabetes and accept it wholeheartedly so that it can't be a heavy burden in your part.

There are no other alternative for you to eradicate the presence of diabetes in your body once you have been diagnosed with it. You must learn how to deal with the disease because it can certainly kill you once you do not have a proper diabetes diet included in your everyday food intake.

Eating the right kind of food and living a healthy lifestyle is the best arsenal that you have to fight diabetes. If you are still groping in the dark on how you can have the right diabetes diet
take a look in the proceeding sections:

• Have a regular check of your everyday meal and their nutrients. Remember that your main goal is to avoid all the sugar that you are not allowed to eat. Include in your everyday meal the right amount of healthy foods so that you are right on track of staying healthy in spite of the disease.

• Be careful and always check your sugar intake. If you have alternates for sugar-rich foods
then go for it. There are different kinds of sugar replacements in the market
especially if you are planning to bake some cakes and cookies. You can utilize these sugar-free products for your baking purposes. It also tastes delicious and you will enjoy whatever you baked for yourself and at the same time maintaining a good blood sugar level.

• The amount of food intake is also important because it can have positive or negative impact in your diet and health. You can seek some suggestions from a physician of how much food you should eat everyday.

As long as you follow the right diet for you
them you will stay healthy for the rest of your life.

One of the most dreaded diseases is diabetes. It is a killer disease and it is really very difficult to control. Going by the official US stats
diabetes is the third biggest giant killer among the deadly diseases in the United States of America. The global statistics is also mind-boggling!

First things first
how does a person become diabetic? When your body is unable to produce insulin that is necessary for its normal functioning
it becomes unable to absorb glucose (sugar). When the levels of glucose take a course to the blood stream
you become a diabetic patient.

Once you become diabetic
you have a problem for life. You live hour by hour
during the day. Medication becomes part of your life
which is likely to demand a good portion of your pension! Your lifestyle will be changed. You will suddenly become a thinking man now—thinking about diabetes. You might find your self pronouncing the term diabetes
diabetes
and diabetes hundreds of times a day!!

When it has finally seized you
it is not only diabetes alone! Many other dreaded diseases live in waiting to take hold of you. Some of them are kidney failure
heart diseases
nervous breakdown
blindness
blurred vision
limb amputation and the ultimate for the human body—death!

The prescriptive medicines complete the remaining process of the damage. Many toxic side effects are reported- skin rashes
weight gain and respiratory ailments
are few to quote. Notwithstanding the claims of many over-the-counter drugs that promise cure
the one thing that can really help you is your diet control and perfect discipline as regards to time management.

For example
your morning walks. Now
all the medical practitioners agree that morning walks do great service to tame the intensity of diabetics. So
you need to take a complete brief about the articles of food that is suitable for you
vegetables included! If anything will have the exacting affects to take you out of the influence of this disease
it is nature! So
have a perfect dietary discipline. It has taken many to the path of complete recovery! Some of the local treatments have the intrinsic capacity to tame your high blood sugar and such cases are the only hope for the diabetic patients!

So
do not think that everything is lost for you! From the dark ashes
sprouts a seedling!

Here's what researchers know about controlling blood glucose (blood sugar) in people with diabetes: It's not easy
but it can be done. It takes hard work. And it can save your life.

An important new study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that tight control of blood glucose can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes-the number one killer of people with diabetes-by more than half.

For most people with diabetes
keeping blood glucose under tight control isn't easy. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that fewer than 45 percent of Americans with diabetes are reaching the level of control seen in the NIH study. But it can be done
and the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) has materials that can help.

The National Diabetes Education Program's Control Your Diabetes. For Life. campaign materials teach people with diabetes how to know their ABCs-what their A1C (a test of blood glucose)
Blood pressure
and Cholesterol numbers are
what they should be
and how to work with their health care team to reach those goals. The materials also offer ideas for sticking to a healthy eating plan
ways to stay active with regular physical activity
and other tips for feeling better and staying healthy.

NDEP materials are easy to read
and available in English
Spanish
and in 15 Asian and Pacific Islander languages. They have been tailored for groups at high risk for diabetes
including American Indians and Alaska Natives
African Americans
and Hispanics/Latinos. And all NDEP materials are based on science
backed by the federal government
and copyright free.

For people with diabetes
controlling blood glucose-along with blood pressure and cholesterol-can save their sight
their limbs and their life.

Before the discovery of insulin in 1921
everyone with type 1 diabetes died within a few years after diagnosis. Although insulin is not considered a cure
its discovery was the first major breakthrough in diabetes treatment.

Today
healthy eating
physical activity
and taking insulin are the basic therapies for type 1 diabetes. The amount of insulin must be balanced with food intake and daily activities. Blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose checking. People with diabetes also monitor blood glucose levels several times a year with a laboratory test called the A1C. Results of the A1C test reflect average blood glucose over a 2- to 3-month period.

Healthy eating
physical activity
and blood glucose testing are the basic management tools for type 2 diabetes. In addition
many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication
insulin
or both to control their blood glucose levels.

Adults with diabetes are at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In fact
at least 65 percent of those with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Managing diabetes is more than keeping blood glucose levels under control--it is also important to manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels through healthy eating
physical activity
and use of medications (if needed). By doing so
those with diabetes can lower their risk. Aspirin therapy
if recommended by the health care team
and smoking cessation can also help lower risk.

People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care. Much of the daily care involves keeping blood glucose levels from going too low or too high. When blood glucose levels drop too low--a condition known as hypoglycemia--a person can become nervous
shaky
and confused. Judgment can be impaired
and if blood glucose falls too low
fainting can occur.

A person can also become ill if blood glucose levels rise too high
a condition known as hyperglycemia.

People with diabetes should see a health care provider who will help them learn to manage their diabetes and who will monitor their diabetes control. Most people with diabetes get care from primary care physicians--internists
family practice doctors
or pediatricians. Often
having a team of providers can improve diabetes care. A team can include:

- a primary care provider such as an internist
a family practice doctor
or a pediatrician

- an endocrinologist (a specialist in diabetes care)

- a dietitian
a nurse
and other health care providers who are certified diabetes educators--experts in providing information about managing diabetes

- a podiatrist (for foot care)

- an ophthalmologist or an optometrist (for eye care)

and other health care providers
such as cardiologists and other specialists. In addition
the team for a pregnant woman with type 1
type 2
or gestational diabetes should include an obstetrician who specializes in caring for women with diabetes. The team can also include a pediatrician or a neonatologist with experience taking care of babies born to women with diabetes.

The goal of diabetes management is to keep levels of blood glucose
blood pressure
and cholesterol as close to the normal range as safely possible. A major study
the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)
sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
showed that keeping blood glucose levels close to normal reduces the risk of developing major complications of type 1 diabetes.

This 10-year study
completed in 1993
included 1
441
people with type 1 diabetes. The study compared the effect of two treatment approaches--intensive management and standard management--on the development and progression of eye
kidney
nerve
and cardiovascular complications of diabetes. Intensive treatment aimed to keep A1C levels as close to normal (6 percent) as possible. Researchers found that study participants who maintained lower levels of blood glucose through intensive management had significantly lower rates of these complications. More recently
a follow-up study of DCCT participants showed that the ability of intensive control to lower the complications of diabetes has persisted more than 10 years after the trial ended.

The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study
a European study completed in 1998
showed that intensive control of blood glucose and blood pressure reduced the risk of blindness
kidney disease
stroke
and heart attack in people with type 2 diabetes.