ON SWEETENER
Formaldehyde is the stinky liquid that’s used to preserve dead laboratory animals.
This chemical is what the artificial sweetener, aspartame, breaks down into after being eaten.

from brighthub.com

Even though they might taste sour, lemons actually contain more sugar content than strawberries.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that middle-aged people with type 2 diabetes have the same high risk for heart attack as people without diabetes who already have had a heart attack. There are 2 reasons for this:

First, high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels. The vessel walls become thicker and less elastic, so blood has a harder time passing through.

Second, people with diabetes often have higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. These fats (lipids) can clog and narrow the blood vessels, causing a condition known as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which can lead to heart attack, angina, or stroke.

That's why managing your risk for heart attack and stroke is as critical as managing your blood sugar.

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels, that result from defects in insulin secretion, or action, or both. Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes (as it will be in this article) was first identified as a disease associated with "sweet urine," and excessive muscle loss in the ancient world. Elevated levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia) lead to spillage of glucose into the urine, hence the term sweet urine.

Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes insipidus (DI) causes frequent urination. The large volume of urine is diluted, mostly water. To make up for lost water, you may feel the need to drink large amounts. You are likely to urinate frequently, even at night, which can disrupt sleep or, on occasion, cause bedwetting. Because of the excretion of abnormally large volumes of dilute urine, you may quickly become dehydrated if you do not drink enough water. 

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is far more common than diabetes insipidus and receives more news coverage. DM has two forms, referred to as type 1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or IDDM) and type 2 diabetes(formerly called adult-onset diabetes, or noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or NIDDM). Diabetes insipidus is a different form of illness altogether.

Type 2 Diabetes is a metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to make enough, or properly use, insulin. It is the most common form of the disease. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is nearing epidemic proportions, due to an increased number of older Americans, and a greater prevalence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles. 

Gestational Diabetes is developed in about two to five percent of women during pregnancy. Although this type usually disappears after the birth of the baby, women who have had it are more likely to develop Type 2 later in life. 

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) recommends the following general blood sugar testing goals for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes:

• Preprandial* (fasting, or before a meal) - <110 mg/dl (6.1 mmol/l)
• Two hours postprandial (after the start of a meal) - <140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/l)
• A1c (three month blood sugar average) – 6.5% or lower
  The American Diabetes Association (ADA)2 suggests slightly different targets:
• Preprandial* – 70-130 mg/dl (3.9-7.2 mmol/l)
• Postprandial* (1-2 hours) - <180 mg/dl (<10.0 mmol/l)
• A1c (three month blood sugar average) – 7.0% or lower

Medication - All type 1 diabetics must take insulin by injection. Type 2 diabetics often use oral medication in their treatment, yet some may also need injections. These drugs are designed to promote insulin production and usage, as well as one's metabolism.

Diet - People with diabetes need to follow a heatlhy diet tailored to their needs. It should be low in salt, fats, and sugar, and hight in fiber-based foods like beans, fruits, and vegetables.

Exercise - Physical activity helps the body consume glucose more efficiently and helps control weight. People who are not very active should consult a physician before beginning an exercise program.

NEW! Technology Aided Monitoring - This option is quite new, yet have been featured with newly produced glucometers. You can keep track of your A1c numbers via Windows, by connecting your meter to your system, and running the monitoring software on your system. Together, they can help you gain better control of your intake and diet.

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•Older than 45 years of age
•Overweight 
•Do not exercise regularly •Parent or sibling has it  •Having a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds
•Having gestational diabetes while you were pregnant
•African- or Latin-American, Native American, Asian or a Pacific Islander descendant

•Excessive thirst & appetite
•Excessive urination
•Weight loss
•Sudden exhaustion or weakness
•Nausea
•Blurred vision
•Frequent vaginal infections
•Impotence

Every diabetic needs a medical team to help them with their illness, but many do not know who these people are.

FAMILY DOCTOR
They are who keeps your basic medical records. You should always talk to them about meds, symptoms, or anything that you just don't understand.

DIETICIAN
This is the person who sits with you and advises you of foods to eat and avoid, as well as other helpful nutritional stuff.

NEUROLOGIST
In plain language, this is your nerve doctor. They examine your nerve responses, teach you about the impact of diabetes on your nervous system, and offer good advice on staying healthy.

PODIATRIST
The good foot doctor, the one who looks at your feet and shows you ways to maintain great soles and foot health. Sometimes, they even massage your feet, give them salt baths, or clip your toe nails.

OPHTHALMOLOGIST
I often have trouble with that word. This is your eye doctor. They check your vision, your pupils and other eye parts, and sometimes give prescriptions for glasses. This doctor should be seen, no pun intended, at least twice a year, or when deemed necessary.