Arterial disease is a complication of diabetes mellitus, usually after many years of high blood glucose whether there's been a diagnosis or not.
There are two kinds of stroke which complications things. The first kind is a blockage of a brain blood vessel, generally caused .by a clot and made worse and more likely by hardening of the arteries. This kind is the sort that bad cholesterol runs around with. And it's connected with heart attack, usually by the same mechanism. Diabetics have characteristically different lipid/cholesterol profiles than non-diabetics, and it may be worthwhile to attempt to adjust them using one of the statin drugs (eg, Lipitor) or other measures (eg, the vitamin niacin which increases the proportion of good cholesterol, HDL). A baby aspirin a day is sometimes suggested (and the aspirin makers are eager to do so, as it will increase their sales) since it makes your blood 'thinner' -- meaning a blood component called platelets are less prone to stick to each other starting off a clot. Check with your doctor on this, because some of these have, or have the potential, of side effects of their own.
Another kind of stroke is the bleeding sort. In this case, a blood vessel in the brain is damaged and starts leaking. The brain is enclosed within a bone box and can't swell much, so the increased pressure can cause damage, perhaps permanent damage. Again, there are dodges which can reduce this risk somewhat, but you should check with a doctor about them for they can have their own side-effects.
As for the diabetes itself, you and your husband should DO The Right Thing. In the case of diabetes, this means keeping blood glucose levels as normal as possible as long as possible, and limiting the rise after eating. Anything which produces glucose when digested (largely some carbohydrates, such as some sugars (not all), starch, etc) will make blood glucose go up. Normally, insulin will go up in response which will signal cells in the body (about 2/3 need insulin to do so) to absorb some glucose from the blood. After a couple of hours, your blood glucose level should be back to normal.Diabetics don't do this very well. In Type 2, which is probably what your husband has, all those cells have more or less stopped listening closely to the insulin signal. If they're only a little deaf, careful diet choices, timings, and amounts, together with some exercise, and losing some weight (the amount of fat in and around the abdominal organs is clearly connected with the development and perhaps maintenance of insulin resistance) may be enough. The resist insulin signals from abdominal fat seem to turn off (or turn down) if some of that fat is burned off. If not, pills (mostly, to make more insulin available or control the liver's release of stored glucose into the blood) may be necessary. Even insulin in some cases might be needed. If there's high blood pressure, it might be necessary to address it as well, since it contributes to arterial disease, and most likely to some nerve damage.
The exercise business is a little dicey since some folks are in poor shape and should take it slowly. Your husband may not be, but he's old enough so that you should get a doctor's opinion before he starts going to the gym, lifting weights, running marathons, ...
But note that aerobic exercise (not anything less) is special in that, by definition, the heart goes into oxygen debt. When it does, there's a mechanism which calls for more blood supply and new arteries will grow as needed. It has to be kept up though. Not much is required, only maybe 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every few days. An exercise bike maybe, or one of those Nordic track machines? See the most recent version of Cooper's aerobic exercise books for more.
Whether or not you go aerobic, exercise benefits diabetics in at least two ways. First, exercise alone gets ells to absorb glucose from the blood, regardless of insulin. And the effect lasts a few hours. Second, probably via another mechanism that isn't well understood, exercise seems to reduce the complications of diabetes. You're less likely to have eye damage, kidney damage, arterial damage, .... if you exercise regularly. Aerobics not required. And not much actually. Perhaps three or four 30 minute brisk walks each week. But you have to keep it up.
Altogether, the closer a diabetic keeps glucose levels to normal ones, the more the risk of complications becomes like that of non-diabetics. The evidence is entirely clear (from several very large studies in several places and true for both Type 1 and Type 2. Not all studies give such a clear signal. And that means paying attention to your blood glucose level (lots of finger pricks and test strips), to what and how much and when you eat, to exercise (also how much and when), and weight (the less the better). That's all a pain, and requires learning something about diabetes (the doctor's too busy to do the teaching, so you'll have to get it somewhere else), and most people don't look forward to it, nor to actually doing it. Quite a nuisance. But the alternative is worse, so it's worth the trouble.
2007-02-26 07:10:37
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answer #1
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answered by ww_je 4
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2016-05-19 02:59:37
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answer #2
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answered by Kenny 3
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2016-09-19 19:17:40
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answer #3
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answered by Sallie 3
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I'm a 45 year old woman and was recently diagnosed as being a borderline diabetic. My doctor prescribed some medication, but before filling it I decided to do some research on the internet which led me to the methods. After reading this ebook and applying the methods, my scepticism turned to 100% belief. I noticed that my energy levels increased significantly and I felt more rested in the morning, my symptoms started going away.
I am very happy to tell you that I have been feeling better than I have felt in years and my doctor informed me that he will be taking me off my prescriptions if I keep this up.
I recommend you use the Type 2 Diabetes Destroyer to naturally reverse your diabetes.
2016-05-17 05:43:28
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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Get a complete physical now! No question is stupid on here. There are many factors concerning having a stroke that only a physical can answer. Being a diabetic I do know that low sugar affects the brain, that's why you can go into a coma and die!
2007-02-28 02:36:04
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answer #5
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answered by dude_port 3
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Low blood sugar can mimic being intoxicated and stroke. He is at high risk due to his being diabetic. GO to the doctor if he has signs of a mini stroke. DO NOT give him a choice, men hate going to the doctor. But its better than having a stroke and being an invalid. Put it bluntly to him, there are worse things than being dead. How about not being able to do for yourself such as loss of independence. (eating, dressing, wiping your own butt) The doctors can run tests to see if there are any current problems and mark potential problems to keep an eye on. Good diet and exercise are the key. Good luck hun, prayers are with you.
2007-02-26 02:43:37
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answer #6
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answered by REBELLYNN 5
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my mom had mini strokes. and i hate to tell u this but yes if you dont get him into the doctor. she was 45. and they said she had ms which she didnt. so she went home and late one night i heard something it was my mom. her arteries were clogged in her neck so she had a big stroke. she paralyzed on the right side of her body but could get that back through chemo. she was half brain dead and scould get that through stem cell. It broke my heart. But the docs. said she was doing better and she had another huge stroke and this time they pronounced her. my mom had been having mini strokes for about 5 months before the 2 massive strokes. so please do take him to a doc. and see if their is anything they can do. Bcause i would hate to have this happen to anyone. Good Luck
2007-02-27 03:45:08
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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Being a diabetic is not a death sentence. Keep watch on your blood sugar-I check mine twice a day, some people check more or less. Stay away from those carbohydrates and sugar. These days there are very many sugar free foods for diabetics. I usually eat three small meals a day and always whole wheat bread if I eat bread. Most of all keep in touch with your doctor and take the med's he prescribes, have your A1C checked about every three months. By following a diet for diabetics you'll probably lose some weight and feel much better. SEE YOUR DOCTOR REGULARLY!
2007-02-26 02:57:23
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answer #8
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answered by Mountain Man 4
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My husband was diagnosed when he was 24 years old and he was in great shape. We had been married for 8 months and for about 5 years prior to being diagnosed he was hypoglycemic and we thought many times he was having a heart attack because his blood glucose was to low. He would shake so hard and he would fall to his knees. Until his pancreas or liver would kick in some glucose and he would manage to feel better. It took a long time before the doctors figured out what was wrong.
I am not saying that this is what he is feeling but this is how horrible my husband felt in the early stages. It felt like a heart attack but it was his diabetes that was not in check.
Please! Please! Get him checked out. Diabetes or Stroke it is a serious matter... He might want to go to your local Emerg. as they could deal with it much faster.
Best of luck - lots of luv!
Mummzaword
2007-02-26 03:40:22
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answer #9
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answered by mummzaword 1
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Is he under doctor's care? Sure a mini stroke could be a precursor to a major stroke, but not always. Make sure he is eating properly getting some exercise and on aspirin therapy(only if his doctor recommended it).
2007-02-26 02:37:14
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answer #10
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answered by xjaz1 5
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