Fight Type 2 Diabetes

Chances are you know someone who has diabetes. In the United States, 23.6 million people, or 7.8% of the population, has diabetes. Of those, 5.7 million people are undiagnosed. There are 186,300 people under the age of 20, who have diabetes. In the next 24 hours:

• 4,100 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed


• 810 die from diabetes


• 230 people with diabetes will have a diabetes-related amputation


• 120 new patients will require kidney dialysis or transplant


• 55 will go blind

Talk about a health care crisis. These statistics are from The Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland.

So many people are undiagnosed, because quite often they have no symptoms. If they do have symptoms, they may include:

• Blurred vision


• Erectile dysfunction


• Fatigue


• Frequent or slow-healing infections


• Increased appetite


• Increased thirst


• Increased urination

The primary treatment for Type 2 diabetes is diet and exercise. Here are some quick tips you can use to help you get your diabetes under control.

• Get Active! Even a small amount of activity everyday will have a cumulative effect, helping you look and feel better, while managing your glucose levels.


• Get a Support System: You can't do it alone. Make sure you have a health care team, and surround yourself with encouraging support.


• Track Your Progress Daily: Keep writing down your food, workouts, blood glucose readings, and moods


• Make Healthy Food Changes: Check with your health care team before changing your diet. The amount of carbs you eat affects your blood sugar more than anything else you eat, such as proteins or fats.

If you are looking for a place to to start, that has everything put together for you, then take a look at Kathy Smith's Project:YOU! Type 2.

Kathy Smith's Project:YOU! Type 2 is a brand-new program from one of the most trusted names in health and fitness. This all-in-one healthy solution emphasizes lifestyle changes, including education on healthy eating coupled with regular physical activity. And it's designed to produce long-term health benefits while helping you lose weight. Did you know that being at your ideal weight can help reduce the risks of getting type 2 diabetes? And if you have type 2, it can make a big difference in managing your blood glucose.

This amazing program was developed and approved in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the leading source of trusted information about diabetes.

Yes, diabetes is a serious problem in this country. But even small actions taken each day have a cumulative effect, ultimately yielding big rewards. What's more, unlike most medications, the side effects that come with healthy living include a better body, more energy, and a reduced risk of getting many health conditions including type 2 diabetes - and the complications of diabetes, such as cardiovascular, kidney, and eye disease.