Two Types Of Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disorder that may eventually lead to serious complications which involves the nerves and the circulatory system. Such complications are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Moreover, some acute complications can result in very grave illnesses. It is very alarming how it has caused mortality to a lot of people. To control this kind of disease, the person affected must have the knowledge of the whole picture of the illness to be able to commit on taking care of the self.

Once you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you must make a move to control this. The main objective for control is to restore blood glucose levels to ideal range. It follows that the control will significantly delay and in some cases even prevent the development of long-term complications of this disease. The patient's knowledge on this illness will be the key to a successful management.

There are two types of Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes or the insulin-dependent and Type II Diabetes or the non-insulin dependent. Of the two, the most common form is the second type. An important predisposing factor of developing this is through the genes. A quick family history assessment can give you an idea if you are more prone to getting this disease. Aside from that, high risks for this kind of Diabetes are those who are obese. Obesity is the only modifiable factor for this type.

There are three recommended management of Type II Diabetes Mellitus to assist in reaching the ideal blood glucose levels. First is of course the emphasis on dietary modification. Basically, the patient must stay away from sugars and cholesterol. It is important also to have an appropriate timing of meals. You can consult a dietitian to be able to plan together your food for every meal based on your choice of food, lifestyle and financial capacity.

The second thing to do is to control the weight through proper exercise. Regular exercise can keep this kind of disease under control. It also causes an increased sensitivity of muscle tissue to insulin which may lead to a lower dose of anti-diabetic medication. Exercise can also decrease the patient's appetite while increasing his expenditure. Thus, it will assist him the person affected in his restrictions of certain amount of calories in the diet.

The third management is to strictly follow the instructions of a physician on the schedule and dose of an oral anti-diabetic agent. This medication will help lower increasing levels of blood glucose in the body. The patient should be properly educated on the name, purpose, effects and some possible effects of the medicine so that he will know what to do when any adverse effects will happen.


Diabetes has been with us for centuries. And in America, it's become one of our most lethal diseases. But, much like AIDs, it's often not the disease that kills the person, it's the health complications caused by damage to other parts of the body. For instance, diabetes, untreated, slowly destroys the cardiovascular system of a person which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

But what is the cause of diabetes and is it preventable?

There are mainly two types of diabetes, and the causes are different. In type 1 diabetes, the cause is usually a viral attack on the pancreas by antibodies in the bloodstream. In other words, it is your own body that is attacking the pancreas. The pancreas is one of the major organs of the body. It secretes insulin which the body uses to help it to convert blood sugar to energy. Unable to convert the blood sugar to energy, the sugar simply builds up in the bloodstream eventually reaching high enough levels that it begins to destroy the body from the inside. In those with type 1 diabetes, the usual treatment is to have them take insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is usually caused by a combination of poor food choices, poor food portion control, and lack of exercise. This is highlighted by the fact that teenage onset diabetes has dramatically jumped in the last 20 years. Now, our bodies have not changed that much in twenty years. What has changed, however is the amount of fast foods that we eat.

Fast foods are almost always high in calories. And, you can almost plot a straight line showing that as the weight of our teens have increased, so have the number of incidences of diabetes in their group.

In addition, we as a nation are exercising less. Mandatory, gym classes have virtually been eliminated from many of our schools and many of the popular entertainments today - video games, computer activities, and so on - involve some sort of sedentary activity where the body doesn't have to move much.

Doctors mainly use two types of tests for diabetes - urine tests and blood tests. A urine test will test your urine for protein. One of the earliest organs that diabetes can damage is the kidney. If the kidney is damaged, excess protein will show up in the urine because the kidney is having trouble filtering impurities. A blood test will test for excess glucose in the bloodstream. A test showing that you have above levels of glucose usually indicates that your body is not producing enough insulin to process the sugar in your blood.

Is diabetes preventable? Some types are, such as many of the type 2 onset diabetes cases which are triggered by lifestyle choices. Type 1 diabetes cases are not preventable, at least not yet. But promising signs on the gene research front indicate that within the next 10 to 15 years we might very well see a diabetes vaccine that can protect a person from type 1 diabetes.

Heredity, is the elephant in the room when it comes to diabetes. Research studies have proven that it plays a part, but to what extent is yet unknown. The bright point, however, is that even if your heredity predisposes you towards diabetes, by making lifestyle changes you can do many things to ensure that you never get it.

Treatment For Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a wide spread chronic disease of which 80-90% are Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Poorly managed diabetes can lead to Heart attacks, Strokes, Blindness, Nerve damage, Impotence etc.

Drugs, Insulin injections and all other Medicines available for diabetes can only control the level of sugar in blood stream and may not be effective at all times. And also it should be consumed throughout your life time.

According to Ayurveda, diabetes is not just lack of insulin. Its most probable cause is poor maintenance of your body which can be improved through Panchakarma treatments like hebal purge for the liver, pancreas, spleen, colon and the digestive tract and herbal massages, modification of diet and exercise, Yoga and breathing exercise.

Treatments Methods for Diabetes

The Panchakarma Treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, They are classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods.

The Rasayana Therapies are meant to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.These comprise diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines and ayurveda tonics, yoga and a stress free life. After the treatment the ayurveda doctors will advise you how to lead a healthy life. Panchakarma for Diabetes

The commonly adopted pre-purification therapies for Diabetes are Snehapanam, thalapothichil and thakradhara.

Snehapanam: Medicated ghee, eaten in empty stomach, for its first hand therapeutic value, is called Snehapanam. The treatment involves the removal of hard-core toxins and wastes from the body. It also calms down the mind and reduces mental stress. As a result, the body immunity increases, the effects of the ailments subside and frequent recurrence of the disease is prevented. The medicated ghee is prepared by processing herbal paste, herbal juice, milk, ghee etc. The herbal paste and juice are selected, based on the disease being treated, from herbs like amaltas,Sarsaparilla,Jaman,Indian Kino Tree, guggul, ginger, neem, onion, chopchini, tribhala, malabar nut, sweet flag, mustard etc. Thalapothichil, In Thalapothichil, the person's scalp is completely applied with high value medicinal pastes. Herbs and fruits such as gooseberry, henna, asparagus, moringa ,guggul, lotus, seeds, sandalwood, nut grass tuber etc. are used in the treatment. Thakradhara Thakradhara means the profuse pouring of medicine-rich buttermilk on a person's forehead. The treatment induces coolness to the brain, relaxes the mind, reduces mental stress and increases memory power. Thakradhara is a good treatment for diabetes. A prolonged treatment for 2-3 weeks not only removes diabetes but also recoups the total mental status of the person. Excellent cooling and therapeutic agents are used in this treatment. The buttermilk is made by boiling milk with assorted herbs. Gooseberry and lotus are excellent cooling agents.

Main purification Therapies for Diabetes

This is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre-purification treatment stage. The three commonly adopted Panchakarma treatments for Diabetes are Vamanam, Virechanam and Vasti .

Vamanam Induced vomiting, using herbal medicine is called Vamanam. This treatment is effective for diabetes. It is one among the renowned Panchakarma treatments. Through vamanam, the toxins and acids of the upper parts of the body are completely eradicated. As the channels are freed from harmful toxins, the body tissues get recharged. The person's memory power also increases, the sense organs get better clarity and his digestive fire increases. Vamanam, in addition to treating many diseases, also rejuvenates the person's body and mind. These methods loosen the impurities of the body channels and prepare the body for the main treatment. It eliminates excess bile toxins from the mid zone of the body. Virechanam constitutes one of the treatments of Panchakarma. When the digestive tract is clean and toxic-free, it benefits the entire body system. As a result, the person's appetite increases, body strength enhances and the person becomes active and buoyant. Herbal powder, medicated castor oil, or herbal paste is commonly used as the purgative medicine. It is a mixture of herbs like turpith, embellia fruits, dry ginger,lotus,cardamom, long pepper,konch,sweet flag, cinnamon, etc. The person consumes the appropriate herbal medicine in empty stomach. The dose of medicines, diet patterns etc. are to be strictly followed as per the doctor's recommendation. Vasthi is an enema therapy and is considered the ace colon cleaning panchakarma treatment. In this form of treatment special medicines are introduced through the anal route for the evacuation of accumulated toxins and metabolic wastes. It is highly recommended in the treatment of diabetes. Dill seeds, bael, honey, rock salt, herbal pastes, oils and decoctions are the main ingredients used in vasthi.

Rasayana Therapies for Diabetes

These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. Rasayana includes oral medicines and diet regulation.

Oral medicines for Diabetes

Oral medicines used for treating diabetes will be extracts of pure medicinal herbs, leaves, spices etc. Some of the herbs and spices used in the preparation of kashayams and lehyams for treating Diabetes include neem, gurmar leaves, karela and vinca rose etc.

Diet regulations for Diabetes

Diet regulation will be suggested for patients suffering from Diabetes during and after the treatment. They should strictly avoid sugar in any form. Yoga and Life style for Diabetes

Light yoga postures, meditations and breathing exercises are advised. Yoga exercises such as Bhujang Asana,( cobra pose), Shalabah Asana( Locust pose) and Dhanur Asana( Bow pose ) are highly beneficial.

Life Style for Diabetes Patients suffering from Diabetes are advised to take at least one or two weeks of rest after the Panchakarma experience. Diabetes patients are advised to avoid sleep during the day. Causes And Types of Diabetes

There are generally three types of diabetes. Type one diabetes which is the most dangerous one and then there is type 2 and lastly gestational diabetes which affects women who are going through pregnancy. Diabetes is caused due to insufficient production of insulin in the body.

Although in type 1 diabetes you have to take regular insulin injection but in type 2 diabetes there are things you can do to lead a normal life. 1. Lose Weight

2. Dietary Changes

Change in the diet is the foremost thing to do when diagnosed with diabetes. 3. Herbal Remedies

People who are suffering from diabetes have benefited from the use of herbs. There are certain herbs mentioned in the ayurvedic system of medicine which are very effective in diabetes management. 4. Some Popular Herbal Products

Diabetes Medication Management

Diabetes is a disease that if not treated for prolonged periods can have serious and long-lasting effects on your wellbeing. It can cause problems for virtually every organ in the body and seriously diminish the quality of life if not dealt with in a timely manner. Every year, hundreds more people are diagnosed with diabetes, In the United States, diabetes ranks as 1 of the leading causes of death and disability.

The good news is that diabetes is capable of being managed successfully if you're willing to take charge of your own well-being. A diabetic can live astandard, healthy life if you accept that diabetes is a serious disease that demands continuous, dedicated treatment. If you can be vigilant about your wellbeing and take the crucial steps to improve your lifestyle, there is no reason you cannot enjoy life to its fullest.

For individuals who suffer from Type 1 diabetes, the most effective treatment may be insulin therapy. Since the body cannot produce its own insulin in sufficient amounts, insulin injections are needed to permit the Type 1 diabetic to reach normal blood sugar levels. Depending on the severity of the diabetes, individuals may wish to check blood sugar levels often and adjust dosages in accordance with their recommended course of treatment.

Insulin therapy is typically administered using pens, pumps or jet injector or it can be in the form of pills or tablets. Lispro is a new insulin product that is fast acting and is typically used in place of regular insulin. There are oral diabetes medications that may be used include Glyburide and Glipizide. They are more traditional medications that work to stimulate the pancreas into secreting more insulin. They're easy to employ and work well in most patients but typically cause low blood sugar.

Metformin, readily known as Glucophage, is 1 of the most prescribed drugs for treating type 2 diabetes. It works by suppressing glucose production in the liver. Metformin has latterly been shown to be safer for use by heart patients than any other diabetes medications and is frequently prescribed for diabetics who are obese as well. A common though nonetheless uncomfortable side effect is gastrointestinal distress, which can eventually go away with prolonged use.

Type two diabetics frequently take Metformin to lower the amount of sugar that is carried into the bloodstream. For some patients, that may be sufficient along with proper diet to manage the diabetes. For other patients, different diabetes medications that can be used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes are glibelclamide, glimerpirizide, and gliquidone, which all work to increase the insulin made by the pancreas.

You 'll want to follow your gp's recommendations faithfully in order to bring your condition under control. Every patient is different and 'll want to work with their gp to find the right diabetes medications and plan of treatment to manage diabetes successfully. It may take a bit of trial, on the other hand in the end, you'll be able to enjoy life and good wellbeing.

There have been a number of reports of various types of cancers being linked to popular medications prescribed to help patients control their type two diabetes. The reports claim that the medication has caused pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, and kidney failure. The manufacturer of the drug, who is based in Denmark, was given approval to sell the medication to patients in the United States in 2010.

The diabetes medication in question is administered as a daily injection, and is referred to as a form of glucagon-like peptide one (GLP-1) therapy. GLP-1 is a hormone that helps to produce insulin, which is necessary to assist in the breakdown of sugars found in the body. GLP-1 therapy works to mimic the function of the naturally produced hormone. That being said, current studies have found that the use of these manufactured GLP-1 therapy drugs may actually increase the potential for serious health complications including pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, and kidney failure.

Information released by the patient safety group, Public Citizen, found that this diabetes drug was approved for use even though three reviewers from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended it not be approved. The director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group, and a representative for consumers who sits on the advisory panel for drug safety and risk management for the FDA, felt that the drug should be banned, and that approving such a drug was a great threat to the safety and health of diabetic patients in the United States.

If you or someone you know took a diabetes medication and you were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, or kidney failure, you should not hesitate to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. These legal professionals are quite skilled in this area of the law and will evaluate your case to determine the best way to proceed.

There has been mounting concern that this type of diabetes medication can lead to pancreatic cancer. This type of cancer is usually deadly because it often goes undetected until it has reached an advanced stage. A Gastroenterology study that was conducted in 2011 found that the drugs used for GLP-1 therapy are associated with an almost three times increased risk of the development of pancreatic cancer. One of the main authors of the study has pushed for more research to determine the severity of the tie between this type of drug therapy and pancreatic cancer, as well as other types of cancers. A top endocrinologist agreed with this sentiment and the need for further research. He asserted that these conditions could just be the beginning of a much more serious issue.

There has also been a great deal of research suggesting that this type of diabetes medication may increase the risk of developing pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, and has been found to be a significant risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Clinical trials of this type of diabetes medication have suggested that the drug has been tied to the formation of pancreatitis.

It has also been asserted that other types of medications that work in a similar fashion may also be associated with an elevated risk of pancreatitis. Researchers at the University of California in Los Angeles published a study in 2011 in the Gastroenterology journal that showed the risk of developing pancreatitis was six times higher in people who took part in GLP-1 drug therapy. The two lead authors found that this type of medication had serious unpredicted and unintended side effects.

The researchers in the above mentioned study also found that this type of drug therapy is also associated with a higher than normal risk of developing thyroid cancer. While some researchers believe more research is necessary to explore this particular hazard, the risk does appear to be one that is significant. One study found that high doses of this class of medication caused tumors to form on the thyroid in mice and rats, and that the FDA stated it was not sure if the medication could cause thyroid cancer when used in human beings. When the FDA approved the drug, the agency asked the manufacturer to conduct a five year study to determine if it did in fact cause thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, or any other serious medical issue.

The kidneys are organs within the body that help filter toxins out of the blood as well as any other substance that is found to be in excess, such as salt, waste, and fluids. When the kidneys fail, the blood is not able to be filtered properly and toxins can build up to significant levels within the body. After this type of diabetes medication was approved, the FDA was notified of a number of cases of renal failure that was linked to the drug. When the agency was asked to address these reports, they requested a safety label be placed on the therapy that the medication could cause vomiting, dehydration due to diarrhea, and nausea, which could result in the failure of kidneys. People who have never had any type of kidney problem before can be affected with this condition. A spokesperson for Public Citizen has stated that the labeling system that was requested was "reckless" since it has not requested that patients or doctors stop taking the drug. The FDA warning does not appear to be enough, and the drug should have been removed from the marketplace.

If you or someone you know took a diabetes medication and suffered a severe health consequence such as developing pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, or kidney failure, you must take legal action to protect your rights. A personal injury attorney who specializes in defective drugs will review your case, and will advise you on the best possible way to proceed.

Food For Diabetes

Learning that you are diabetic can be a life changing event.  In addition to taking medicine you will be asked to change your diet. Diet has been shown to be not only one of the biggest causative factors for diabetes but one of the most important treatment to aid in its control. You will need to talk to your doctor or find good books on diabetes that will tell you what good foods for diabetics are.  There are a lot of differing opinions on this, but there are some things that most experts agree on.

Good foods for diabetics will not be processed, or contain white flour, sugar, or saturated fat.  These foods will contribute to spikes in insulin levels and raise blood sugar rapidly making diabetes difficult to manage, and should be avoided.

Most importantly you should eat a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. This is because fresh fruits and vegetables are complex carbohydrates that are rich in nutrients and fiber that can help you control your blood sugar and lose weight.  While the amounts of fruits and vegetables will vary most experts will agree that these are definitely good foods for diabetics.

Another group of good foods for diabetics is the legumes family; these include beans, chickpeas and lentils. High in fiber, protein and carbohydrates, your body digests these foods slowly meaning that your blood sugar will stay stable longer.  Rich in nutrients and low in fat these foods can also aid you in losing weight and help to improve your overall health.

To round out your diabetic diet you can add in a lean protein such as fish which is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids which have been shown to aid in the treatment and prevention of diabetes. Lean chicken and turkey and low fat dairy are also good sources of protein. Nuts are a good source of monounsaturated fat making them also good foods for diabetics.

A healthy diet can go a long ways to getting your diabetes under control and helping you to regain your health. Knowing what foods to choose will help you maintain your weight and your diabetes and lead to a much longer healthier life.

When you are cooking for people who have diabetes, you have to be aware of what some of the best food for diabetics are. While a person who is versed well in diet and nutrition can assist you with a diabetic meal plan. There are a few basics that you can follow to ensure that they are getting the proper nutrients while keeping there sugar low.

The first thing is to make sure that there is enough fiber in the diet. A person with diabetes should be eating at least 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories. And this can easily be included into any meal plan, because fibrous foods include beans, vegetables, whole grains, and some fruit. So right there you have a variety of food for diabetics to eat.

Secondly, try to incorporate foods that have a low glycemic index. Once again beans are apart of this list as well as oats, lentils, kefir (an excellent alternative to milk) and barley. You also want to drink plenty of water. Water is our bodies way of flushing out the toxins. And there have been published reports of how keeping your inside clean will help in keeping you as disease free as possible.

Also is has been noted by the ADA that a person with diabetes should be including plant sterols and stanols to the tune of 2 grams per day. These are not only beneficial to assisting with blood sugar but can also help with keeping LDL cholesterol in check as well.

Basically, the best food for diabetics is going to be foods that are healthy and wholesome. Stay away from eating fast food and processed food as these are not good for any one. If you are able to go the organic route that is even better. As organic food even tastes better than the food that is found at a traditional grocery store.

So if you want to keep your diabetes sugar numbers low, then invest in eating foods that are good for you. Once you begin to replace that piece of fried chicken with a piece of grilled chicken and realize how much better your body begins to feel. You will never go back to those bad eating habits again.

If you have diabetes, you are forbidden from eating certain foods! They are the foods high in carbohydrates, and foods high in fat. Refined sugar is another bad food for diabetics. You should also put an end to consuming excessive alcohol, and tobacco products. It is absolutely needed that you should avoid bad foods for diabetics. If you are aware of the foods to keep off, you will have more chance to keep off diabetes from you, or at the most you can manage your diabetic condition with ease. Here you have a brief description of the diabetic foods that are considered as bad for diabetics.

Foods high in Starch

Starches are nothing but carbohydrates whose function is to convert the consumed food into glucose. Glucose is the energy source for your body following digestion of foods. Starches can be had in great quantity from breads, rice, cereals, and root vegetables. Starch foods should not be consumed in large volume as they are bad foods for diabetics. However, carbohydrate foods should not be totally discarded from your menu. For instance, potatoes are high in starch but they are good source of protein to build your body. So you cannot keep off high carb foods as a whole. Eat a little bit!

Fatty high in fats

There are foods high in saturated fats which you should avoid as far as possible when you have diabetes. These foods include butter, margarine, and whole milk. Dietary products such as cheese and ice-cream are not at all recommended for diabetics as they are highly forbidden as bad foods for diabetics. Whole milk is to be curtained from consuming as fats form the prime component.

Refined sugars

If you have sugar intakes in the form of direct sugar, high fructose syrup, and candy sweets you will notice rise in sugar with these foods. But you cannot completely avoid all sugar. Indeed, you need to consume certain foods with less sugar ingredient in different forms of foods or small snacks.

Cholesterol foods

Cholesterol part of any food is harmful for health as it may worsen diabetic condition and increasing blood sugar in the bloodstream. Egg yokes, organ meats like liver, and brain are very bad foods for diabetics.

Excessive Alcohol drinks

Though alcohol is a pleasant drink to warm up your body, its role to control blood sugar is zero. Indeed, consuming excessive alcohol worsens the diabetic condition and spoils your health starting from damaging your liver, and then heart.

Diabetes Surgery

If you are carrying extra weight and are also a Type 2 diabetic, you are not managing your condition properly. Why is it vital for obese diabetics to lose weight?

Weight loss is a way to literally save your life and prolong it because you reduce the amount of stress placed on your body. Losing weight requires a consistent commitment from you...

1. You don't have to do it alone. Seek professional help from a dietitian and a fitness trainer. Talk to your doctor and endocrinologist. Family and friends can also offer plenty of support if you ask. It's important you do ask because it's tough to work on something like this on your own, especially if you have a lot of weight to lose.

2. Join an exercise class so you have others to share the journey with. It's more motivating when you are in a group who are all striving to lose weight. Exercise becomes more enjoyable. You can celebrate milestones together as well.

3. It's important to control what you're eating. It's easier to cut out 500 calories a day from your diet than to burn off 500 calories. Reduce the portion sizes of meals you eat as well as the content. Vary your diet so you don't get bored.

If you feel you need to have candy or something in your mouth, try sugar-free gum because it has flavor and lasts for a while so you don't need as much of it.

4. Drink plenty of water. This will help to cleanse your system as well. Make sure you keep your fluid intake up while you exercise because it's easy to become dehydrated at this time.

5. Weight loss surgery is one way to help you lose the excess weight. However, it's critical to understand any form of surgery has its risks. Never choose that as your first option. If you do have the surgery, it doesn't magically fix everything. Yes, you will lose some weight. The important thing to remember is you have to learn how to cope with the new version of yourself.

    meals will be smaller as your stomach won't be able to cope with the same amount of food as it did before. You have to be disciplined enough to do exactly as instructed to maintain your health.
    in some cases the surgery may not last if you push the barriers by eating too much of the wrong foods. However, quite often the surgery is very successful and you lose enough weight to not be considered obese.

This will improve your overall health and daily life. You'll be able to do more than you could before and will enjoy life in ways you weren't able to prior to surgery.

Knowing why it's vital to lose weight for obese diabetics is essential to helping you reverse the problem and live a better life.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making easy changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate some of the complications you may already experience.

Modern bariatric surgery has come a long way since its development by Dr. Edward E. Mason of the University of Iowa in 1967. Using resulting in massive, rapid weight loss, bariatric surgery is the general term for medical procedures resulting in the reconfiguration of a patient's digestive system. The two common types of bariatric procedures in the U.S. are laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery and laparoscopic gastric banding, also known as "lap banding." Gastric bypass surgery is performed by shrinking the stomach from the size of a fist to a thumb. This alteration shortens the length of the small intestinal path in which food travels before entering the stomach. This shortened path limits the number of calories absorbed by the body.

Lap banding surgery involves wrapping a liquid-filled belt around the stomach that can be adjusted for tightness by adding or deducting saline through a port located under the skin's surface. The belt reduces food intake by cinching the stomach to evoke the feeling of being full. Evidence that bariatric surgery has gained significant ground since its inception more than 40 years ago can be seen in the astounding number of procedures recently performed by surgeons.

Gastric bypass surgery was named the top ranked general surgical procedure in 2008 in a 2010 study by the University of California. Gastric band surgery placed third in the rankings, which were based on coding and billing data from academic centers. Gastric bypass ranked second among surgical procedures when assessed by a number of operations performed per doctor on a yearly basis; with surgeons averaging 18.2 cases a year. Gastric banding placed fifth on the list, with surgeons performing the procedure 11.9 times a year. Bariatric surgery = Cure for type 2 diabetes?

The rising number of bariatric procedures might be connected to the belief among some in the medical community that the operation is an effective way to treat type 2 diabetes in obese patients.

Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes and affects roughly 23.6 million Americans, or 7.8 percent of the U.S. population. More prevalent in people with obesity, research shows patients with type 2 diabetes can lessen or in some cases eliminate the effects of the disorder by reducing their body weight by approximately 10 percent. Despite this finding, the number of type 2 cases in the U.S. continues to rise each year by about eight percent.

An analysis of over 600 studies found 78 percent of people with type 2 diabetes who received bariatric surgery no longer experience symptoms related to the disorder, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). According to the findings, the elimination of type 2 diabetes is more prevalent among patients receiving bypass surgery than banding procedures.

The analysis also found that blood glucose levels in patients receiving bariatric surgery improve far faster than those achieving weight loss through other means. As a result of the findings, the ADA now recommends bariatric surgery as a possible treatment option to consider for severely obese people with type 2 diabetes.

There are several things that are going to influence your surgery. These include the time of day that you are scheduled, whether or not you will need to fast for two hours or longer before the surgery and whether you are to start taking any additional medication once discharged from the hospital, or on the same day as the surgery. Also taken into account should be the need for the surgery and of course what your current schedule is for taking your medication now. If at all possible the surgery should be scheduled for the morning hours and you should be at the top of the list. If it is possible to be admitted a day in advance, this will give the endocrinology team time to prepare both themselves and you. The routine before surgery may vary depending on your current needs and the operating schedule. The doctor will let you know what needs to be done before and after.

You will find that the procedures to be followed are going to depend heavily upon whether or not the surgery is elective (major or minor) or if the surgery is an emergency that cannot wait. The time of day is going to make a big difference as well on whether or not you will be able to eat and when you will be able to consume food after the procedure is finished. If the surgery is an emergency, the endocrinology team should be advised that you are on the way and that you are diabetic. It is important to give the medical team as much information as possible such as the type of medication that you are taking, the amount and even when you last ate. This will help them to better prepare for your arrival.

Many complications can arise from surgery for someone that is diabetic so taking all necessary precautions can be life saving. Even if the surgery is an emergency, ketone levels should be checked including blood gases and glucose levels to ensure that there is no further danger. If there is a dangerous situation arising, the surgery may need to wait in order to get the levels where they need to be in order for the surgery to be a success. This can prevent complications.