What is Diabetes and how did I get it?
Diabetes is a disease where the body either does not produce insulin, or it has trouble using insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy. If you don't have enough insulin, sugar builds up in your bloodstream because it can't get into your cells to be used as fuel.
The cause of diabetes is unknown. There is no cure. But all is not lost; there are lots of ways to control diabetes and live a healthy, happy life.
Ways to keep your diabetes under control
Diet, exercise, and keeping a journal
If you have diabetes, healthy choices in diet and exercise will help to improve blood sugar control and prevent or minimize complications of diabetes.
A healthy diet is very important in controlling blood sugar levels and preventing diabetes complications. If you are overweight and haven't been able to lose weight on your own, talk to your health care provider.
Eat a well-balanced diet that is high in fiber, low in saturated fat, and low in sweets. If you eat a diet that includes approximately the same number of calories at about the same time every day, it will help your health care provider prescribe the correct dose of medication or insulin. It will also help to keep your blood sugar at a stable level, instead of too low or high, which can be dangerous and even life threatening.
Any kind of regular exercise can help keep your diabetes under control. Walking 3 times a week for just 20 minutes has a proven beneficial effect. Any exercise is good for you, because no matter what kind of exercise you get, any exercise is better than no exercise. If you have complications of diabetes, you should speak to your health care provider before you start an exercise regimen. You may be limited in the type of exercise you can do.
You shouldn't smoke, or use alcohol to excess if you have diabetes. If you do either, you should speak to your health care provider about ways you can quit.
Check your blood sugar levels frequently, at least before meals and at bedtime, and record the results in a journal. You should also write down what medications you take and the times that you take it, your meals and the times that you ate them, and when and for how long you exercised. Take this book with you when you go to see your health care provider. If there are any problems, it may help to diagnose it.
A healthy diet is very important in controlling blood sugar levels and preventing diabetes complications. If you are overweight and haven't been able to lose weight on your own, talk to your health care provider.
Eat a well-balanced diet that is high in fiber, low in saturated fat, and low in sweets. If you eat a diet that includes approximately the same number of calories at about the same time every day, it will help your health care provider prescribe the correct dose of medication or insulin. It will also help to keep your blood sugar at a stable level, instead of too low or high, which can be dangerous and even life threatening.
Any kind of regular exercise can help keep your diabetes under control. Walking 3 times a week for just 20 minutes has a proven beneficial effect. Any exercise is good for you, because no matter what kind of exercise you get, any exercise is better than no exercise. If you have complications of diabetes, you should speak to your health care provider before you start an exercise regimen. You may be limited in the type of exercise you can do.
You shouldn't smoke, or use alcohol to excess if you have diabetes. If you do either, you should speak to your health care provider about ways you can quit.
Check your blood sugar levels frequently, at least before meals and at bedtime, and record the results in a journal. You should also write down what medications you take and the times that you take it, your meals and the times that you ate them, and when and for how long you exercised. Take this book with you when you go to see your health care provider. If there are any problems, it may help to diagnose it.
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There is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, however, can be prevented in some cases, and both types are much more easily controlled if you have healthy habits. Keep your weight at a normal level, get regular exercise, stop smoking and control your use of alcohol, and keep a journal of your diet, medication, and exercise schedule. See your health care provider regularly.
These links may be of some use to you:
American Diabetes Association
National Diabetes Education Program
American Dietetic Association
These links may be of some use to you:
American Diabetes Association
National Diabetes Education Program
American Dietetic Association
Recipes for a Healthy Diet
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Lisa wrote
This is good information, but I'd like to see something a little more in-depth for diet and exercise. Thanks for the links; those were great.
Posted February 11, 2008
