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WHAT
IS DIABETES?
Diabetes is a disease that develops when the body does not make enough
insulin, or cannot use the insulin it makes. A gland in the body, called
the pancreas, makes insulin. The food we eat breaks down into glucose
and is transported by the bloodstream. Insulin moves the glucose from
the bloodstream into body cells. Glucose (also called blood sugar) provides
the cells with the energy to do their jobs.
When the body stops making enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood
and cannot get into the body cells. People may have very high blood glucose
levels when their diabetes is first diagnosed.
Signs of diabetes include:
- extreme thirst and frequent urination
- increased hunger
- blurred vision
- tiredness or fatigue
- unexplained weight loss and
- frequent vaginal yeast infections in women
The types of diabetes include Type I, Type II, or Gestational.
Type I diabetes, or juvenile-onset diabetes, occurs when the body stops
making insulin. It usually occurs in children and adults less than 40
years old. It develops quickly, sometimes within days. Treatment requires
daily insulin shots. Without these daily shots, the cells will starve,
and the person will die. Treatment also includes monitoring blood sugar
levels, eating healthy foods, and exercise.
In Type II diabetes, or adult onset diabetes, the body cannot use the
insulin it makes. This usually occurs in adults over 40 who are overweight,
do not exercise, and have a family history of diabetes. Type II diabetes
is sometimes controlled by losing weight, or making food and activity
changes. Some people may need to take pills or insulin shots. Diet and
exercise are necessary parts of the treatment program.
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and almost always goes away
after the baby is born. Treatment begins with diet changes to lower blood
glucose levels. Some women require insulin shots during pregnancy only.
Uncontrolled diabetes causes many problems, such as:
- heart and kidney disease
- blindness
- stroke
- nerve damage and
- blood flow problems
DIABETES
AND ILLNESS
When a person with diabetes gets ill, blood sugar levels become harder
to control. The body releases more sugar into the blood stream to help
provide enough energy to fight the illness. For this reason, people with
diabetes should never discontinue their diabetic medication when they
are ill. If the illness prevents them from taking their medication, they
should notify their healthcare provider soon.
It is important to work with the healthcare provider to develop a "sick
day plan" ahead of time. The plan should include:
- medication instructions
- frequency for checking blood sugar levels
- checking urine for ketones if the blood sugar is above 250
- a list of foods to eat and fluids to drink, if nauseated and
- when to call for medical advice such as, if vomiting occurs more than
three times in one day or if an illness lasts more than one day
When home alone during an illness, arrange for a friend or family member
to check in on you.
DIABETES
AND EXERCISE
People with diabetes should exercise routinely, because exercise plays
an important role in regulating blood sugar.
Exercise:
- helps the body use insulin more efficiently
- prevents or reduces complications and risks associated with diabetes
- helps build muscle which can burn fat faster and control blood sugar
- assists in weight control
- raises the good cholesterol called HDL
- improves the ability to do everyday tasks and
- helps reduce stress and enhance the sense of well-being
The best types of exercises are aerobic and strength building exercises.
Aerobic exercises use the large muscle groups constantly for at least
20 minutes or longer. These exercises include activities like walking,
jogging, swimming, and biking. Strength building exercises include stretching,
lifting weights, and yoga.
Check with your healthcare provider before starting an exercise program.
When blood sugar levels are over 250, exercise can actually increase them.
If your blood sugar levels are lower than 250, exercise will help to lower
them more.
Low blood sugar can occur with exercise. It may be caused by too much
exercise or not enough food. Eating a snack before exercising, and every
hour if your exercise activity is extended, can prevent low blood sugar
levels.
Be sure to wear proper shoes, socks, and clothing while exercising to
avoid blisters or chafing which could result in an infection. Routine
exercise will help you feel fit and healthy. Call your healthcare provider
if you have difficulty regulating your insulin while exercising.
DIABETES
TYPE I
Type I diabetes is a disease that develops when the body does not make
enough insulin. The food we eat breaks down into glucose and is transported
by the bloodstream. Insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas, moves
the glucose from the bloodstream into the body cells. Glucose (also called
blood sugar) provides the cells with the energy to do their jobs. Diabetes
is diagnosed when too much glucose remains in the blood due to lack of
insulin.
Type I diabetes usually occurs in children and young adults less than
30 years old. It develops quickly, sometimes within days.
When the body stops making enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood
and cannot get into the body cells. People may have very high blood glucose
levels when their diabetes is first diagnosed. High blood glucose is called
hyperglycemia.
A person with hyperglycemia may have:
- increased thirst and hunger
- frequent urination
- weakness and fatigue
- blurry vision or
- unplanned weight loss
Type I diabetes is controlled by:
- taking insulin shots every day
- carefully monitoring blood sugar levels
- eating healthy foods and
- exercising
Uncontrolled diabetes causes many problems, such as:
- heart and kidney disease
- blindness
- stroke
- nerve damage and
- blood flow problems
Keeping diabetes under control reduces the chances of these problems.
Call your healthcare provider if you, or a family member, have any of
the symptoms of diabetes.
DIABETES
TYPE II: ADULT ONSET
Type II diabetes, also called adult onset diabetes, is a disease that
develops when the body cannot use the insulin it makes. A gland in the
body, called the pancreas, makes insulin. The food we eat is broken down
into glucose and is transported by the bloodstream. Insulin moves the
glucose from the bloodstream into body cells. Glucose (also called blood
sugar) provides the cells with the energy to do their jobs. Diabetes is
diagnosed when too much glucose remains in the blood.
Fourteen to 16 million Americans have diabetes. Eighty to 85 percent of
the people with diabetes have Type II, or adult onset diabetes. Type II
diabetes usually happens after age 40, especially in overweight, inactive
people. It runs in families and is more common in some races than others.
Type II diabetes develops slowly, usually over many years.
When the body cannot use insulin, glucose builds up in the blood and
cannot be used by body cells. People may have high blood glucose levels
when their diabetes is first diagnosed. High blood glucose is called hyperglycemia.
A person with hyperglycemia may have:
- increased thirst and hunger
- frequent urination
- weakness and fatigue
- blurry vision or
- unplanned weight loss
Type II diabetes is sometimes controlled by losing weight, or making
food and activity changes. Some people will need to take pills or insulin
shots.
Uncontrolled diabetes causes many problems, such as:
- heart and kidney disease
- blindness
- stroke
- nerve damage and
- blood flow problems
Keeping diabetes under control reduces the chances of these problems.
Call your healthcare provider if you, or a family member, have any of
the symptoms of diabetes.
HYPERGLYCEMIA
Hyperglycemia means having too much sugar in the blood. Sugar in the
blood is also called blood glucose. The food we eat breaks down into glucose
and is transported by the bloodstream to the body's cells. The cells use
the glucose as energy.
Hyperglycemia is caused by:
- too little insulin
- too much food
- too little exercise
- getting sick
- stress or
- some medicines
The symptoms are:
- extreme thirst and frequent urination
- unexplained weight loss
- tiredness or fatigue
- infections that do not heal
- stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting and
- headache or blurry vision
If untreated, hyperglycemia can be life threatening. Treatment may include:
- dietary changes
- exercising regularly and
- medications such as those needed for people with diabetes
Type I diabetes requires insulin. Type II may be treated with oral medications
that increase the body's ability to use the insulin produced, but sometimes
require insulin as well. Both types require diet and exercise management.
Long-term hyperglycemia causes damage to muscles, nerves, and vital organs.
This damage can result in:
- heart or kidney disease
- blindness
- nerve damage and
- damage to the blood vessels
People with diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels every day
to protect themselves from hyperglycemia. This allows them to make immediate
changes in their treatment plan when needed.
HYPOGLYCEMIA
(INSULIN SHOCK)
Hypoglycemia means low blood sugar. It occurs when someone has too much
insulin or not enough glucose in the blood. It can also be caused by too
much exercise. In addition, alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, or
liquor can cause blood sugar to drop. Hypoglycemia is also called insulin
shock or insulin reaction in a diabetic.
Hypoglycemia is very uncommon in people without diabetes. Low blood sugar
is more common in people taking insulin than in those who use pills to
manage their diabetes. It rarely happens when diabetes is treated without
medications. Everyone with diabetes should know how to recognize and treat
low blood sugar.
Early signs are:
- shakiness
- sweating
- hunger
- dizziness
- blurry vision and
- poor concentration
If untreated, the patient may develop:
- headache
- confusion
- mood changes and
- coma or seizure
Blood sugar levels should be checked when any of these signs and symptoms
are experienced. Treat for possible hypoglycemia, even if the blood sugar
level cannot be checked right away. Always carry high-sugar snacks that
can be used to treat the condition.
Your healthcare provider will teach you how to treat hypoglycemia. Self-treatment
can include eating or drinking:
- 6 ounces of regular soda
- 5 or 6 lifesaver candies
- 3 glucose tablets, available at any drugstore.
Call for emergency help, if a known diabetic is unconscious and unable
to be roused. After self-treatment, the person should feel better in about
15 minutes. If it is more than an hour until the next meal, a snack, such
as a peanut butter sandwich, should be eaten.
NUTRITION
TIPS FOR DIABETICS
Treatment of diabetes is centered on controlling the level of glucose
or sugar that is in the bloodstream. This is necessary for diabetics who
take pills, use insulin shots, or do both. Eating the right foods is an
important way that diabetics can help prevent their blood sugar from being
too low or too high.
There is no single diabetic diet that works for everyone. People who
have diabetes should work closely with their healthcare providers to create
a diet plan that matches their overall health and treatment goals and
fits with their lifestyle.
In general, people with diabetes should follow the same guidelines for
good nutrition as everyone else:
- Limit fat intake to less than 30 percent of your calories each day.
Eat more polyunsaturated fats than saturated fats (fats that are solid
at room temperature). Ways to reduce fat intake include choosing lean
cuts of meat and trimming extra fat, eating more fish and poultry (without
the skin), and drinking low-fat or skim milk.
- Plan your diet to include 20 percent of the calories from protein
sources, such as dairy products, meats, poultry, vegetables, and fish.
Remember that some of these foods can be high fat, so choose carefully
with the advice of your doctor or dietitian. If you have kidney disease,
you may need to limit protein to 10 percent of calories.
- Get up to 50 percent of total daily calories from complex carbohydrates.
Foods such as beans, vegetables, and grains (such as breads, cereals,
noodles, and rice) have a strong affect on blood sugar. Eating the same
amount of these foods from day to day can help keep blood sugar at a
steady level.>
- Plan meals at consistent times, so that blood sugar is more stable.
This also helps insulin work better.
- Check your blood sugar levels to learn how certain foods and beverages
affect you. This will help you make food choices that will keep your
blood sugar as close to normal as possible, and will help you know how
to adjust your insulin.
- Use alcohol with caution and never on an empty stomach. Alcohol can
cause very low blood sugar.
Talk to your healthcare provider for a diet plan that will best control
your diabetes.
ALTERNATE
AND NATURAL THERAPIES
We shall shortly be bringing you details of traditional and exciting
new alternate therapies and cures for diabetes.
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