Living with Type 2 Diabetes

Hello Friends,

  Welcome to my world of  living with Type 2 Diabetes. No, I'm not just coping, I'm living.  Go grab your favorite drink , sit back and relax while reading and learning about Type 2 Diabetes.

Diabetes is the fifth-deadliest disease in the United States; since 1987 the death rate due to diabetes has increased by 45%, while the death rates due to heart disease, stroke and cancer have declined.

When I was diagnosed with Diabetes I didn't  know much about this disease but being a woman and as they (whomever "they" may be) say, being "nosy" I wanted to learn all I could about it and I've spent a full year doing so.

I'm going to assume (for lack of another word) that you too have joined the millions of people in the world who have this disease , at least the ones who know they have it,  and would like to educate yourself in how to live with and control your diabetes. It's not as hard as you may think.

Your smart enough to know that  knowledge is the key to unlocking the door to success and a new life while learning self-management  that will empower you. It's all up to you now, no one else can do this for you. You are the queen/king of your domain.

When I said you are not alone, I  mean "You are just one among  millions". There are over 20.8 millions of people in the United States alone that have this disease. Yes, people in other countries have type 2 diabetes but this is just stats for the USA. And by the time you read this it will have  changed to a larger  number.  Only 14.6 millions of the 20.8 millions  have been diagnosed while 6.2 millions remain clueless. And 90 to 95 percent of these people have type 2 diabetes. There are over 54 million people with pre-diabetes and 4,100 people are diagnosed with this disease every day.

                                          ~*    What is Type 2 Diabetes   *~

Now lets move on to getting to know what this disease is and how it effects our body. Here you'll learn things that might calm some of your fears about type 2 diabetes. We'll also uncover some diabetes myths and go over the most common symptoms

When you have type 2 diabetes, your body is unable to properly use the sugar in your blood called glucose.

Glucose is created when your body breaks down food to use for energy.(Much like your car uses gas to run) The  body uses glucose as its main source of fuel.  It does this with the help of a hormone called insulin.

Insulin acts like a key to unlock the body's cells, so glucose can enter and serve as fuel for the cells.

That is how most people's bodies maintain a fairly normal amount of sugar in the bloodstream.

Well,that's not how it works in people who have type 2 diabetes. We can't maintain normal sugar levels. And why is this? The reason why is  because our body doesn't  make enough insulin or because the body can't use its own natural insulin properly.  It's as if our cells have changed the locks and now the key (insulin) can't  unlock the door to let the glucose in. This  is commonly called insulin resistance.

The bad news is high blood sugar  sets off processes that can lead to complications, like heart, kidney, and eye disease, or other serious problems. But as always good news always follows the bad...and the good news is that healthy eating, exercise, and  medication can help.

                      ~*    What Are The symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?    *~

There are many people with type 2 diabetes who never show any symptoms of the disease.  The most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:

•  Frequent urination 
• Excessive hunger or thirst
• Weight loss/gain
• Blurred vision
• Tingling/numbness in hands or feet
• Feeling tired often
• Very dry skin
• Slow-healing sores
• Infections

These  are symptoms caused by high glucose. Some may seem minor but if not  recognized  and treated they can lead to much more serious health problems.  So if you're reading this and haven't been diagnosed but you are experiencing any of these symptoms, Please see your doctor and talk with him about getting tested for diabetes..A simple blood test is all it takes.

                                                   ~*   Complications  *~

Controlling our glucose level  can reduce your risk of serious health problems, like:

            * Heart disease and stroke.

 Adults with diabetes are more likely to   have heart disease or a stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people with diabetes, especially women.

                *High blood pressure.

Many adults who have  diabetes also have high blood pressure or have to take prescription medicine(s) to reduce their high blood pressure.

                        
                 *Eye problems.

 People with diabetes are at risk for glaucoma, cataracts and problems with the retina (retinopathy), which can reduce vision or cause blindness. Diabetes is the no. 1 cause of new cases of blindness in adults ages 21 to 75.

                      *Kidney damage.

Diabetes is the leading cause of severe kidney disease.

                       *Nerve damage.

 Many people with diabetes have some nerve damage. This shows up as numbness or tingling in the feet and/or hands. Severe nerve damage in people with diabetes is a major cause of leg and foot amputations.

                         *Infections.

People with diabetes may be at greater risk for infection and death from infections. People with diabetes may be at a greater risk for getting many other illnesses and they have more trouble getting over these illnesses.

                          *Gum disease.

Because infections are harder to fight, you're more likely to develop gum disease, loose teeth and even teeth falling out.

 Now lets do a little quiz to see what you know about type 2 diabetes.

 Read each statement and decide if you think it is "Fact" or "Fiction." 

1. As long as you feel fine, your type 2 diabetes isn't doing any damage.

• Fiction. Just because you feel fine doesn't mean that this disease isn't taking a tole on  your body. You should take the medicines that your doctor prescribes for your diabetes, even when you feel fine.

2. You can have type 2 diabetes without knowing it.

• Fact. Sometimes people don't notice the symptoms of type 2 diabetes or the  symptoms are often blamed on other illnesses and/or on aging. Millions of Americans have diabetes and don't know it.

3. Only older, overweight people are at risk for type 2 diabetes.

• Fiction. Being overweight or elderly  are both  risk factors for type 2 diabetes. But slim people can also develop this disease. Like the Asian Americans, who are generally slim but are at a high risk. And, each year, more young people develop it.

4. Eating healthy and exercising are important for managing type 2 diabetes.

• Fact. Lifestyle changes, like  exercising and eating healthy,  are important steps to helping  you control your glucose level.

5. People with type 2 diabetes don't need to worry about checking their blood sugar(glucose).

• Fiction. Testing your glucose level often lets your doctor and you know if your medication is working or if it needs to be changed. Controlling your blood sugar can help reduce your risk of diabetes-related problems.

Your doctor will do an A1c  procedure to measures your average blood sugar level over a two to three months period. It is the best way to check your blood-sugar control long term.

We have dispelled some common beliefs about type 2 diabetes that  aren't necessarily true and knowing the difference between fact and fiction is the first step to understanding and dealing with type 2 diabetes. 

 O.K. Now that you know what type 2 diabetes is and how it effects your body, we are going to learn how to control this disease. First if you are overweight, you must think seriously about losing those extra pounds.

 The best way to do this and still maintain a normal glucose level is with a low carbohydrate diet . No you are not going to starve. As a matter of fact you will get to eat even more than you did before. How about 5 or even 6 times a day ?? 3 meals and 3 snacks..how's that?  You will just change the foods you eat as well as the  size of the portions. Now that's not so hard, is it?

 While your friend(s)  are  stuffing themselves with those unhealthy greasy high-carb potato chips and dip you can  be munching on  sweet juicy apple slices with a yogurt dip or some crisp celery stuffed with cream cheese or peanut butter...yumm good. 

Now is a good time to take all the junk food in your pantry and get rid of it! NO, No, No, Don't eat it ! I didn't mean to get rid of it that way! Give it away to the homeless shelter.  They could use a little carbs in their diet.  And it is tax deductible.

Your first step to a long , healthy and happy life has begun. It is time to learn what foods you can eat in abundance and which ones to stay away from. I  recommend  that you read the Low-Carbohydrate Diet by  Dr. Atkins. You can get it at the library.  It is full of information about why you should eat less carbohydrates, what they are and how they effect your body. It also includes a day by day diet plan you can follow to not only lose weight but will help keep your glucose level under control while losing those unwanted pounds. Or you can go visit  my other lens Low Carb Recipes for Diabetics (or just to lose weight) by clicking on the link below.

Low Carbohydrate Recipes

Heres a little tip for you to remember:  Don't eat  white foods...like bread made with white bleached flour,  white rice,  potatoes and pasta. These are all high in carbohydrates and calories as well as starch which the body turns into sugar.

 Now wait a minute before you get all excited. There are lots of other products on the market that you can eat, Like low-carb bread, brown rice, and even pasta.(brand: Dreamfields) We can even eat cake (made with soy flour,whole wheat  or almond flour) 

 Try to avoid anything  made with the artificial sweeteners that contains saccharin or aspartame. Both are bad for the body. Saccharin has been linked to cancer and Aspartame is a poison found in the sting of a fireant.It can cause swelling in the hands, legs and feet.

 Use Splenda, Stevia or Altern, they are recommended by the Diabetic Association and Splenda and Altern are actually made from sugar so there is no after taste. Stevia is made from an  herb and is sweeter than sugar so you use less. And they are all available at your local Wal-Mart Superstore.

 I bet thoughts like this went through your mind when you heard you had diabetes? ...I don't want to give up  eating dessert or cookies or cheese cake...Well, I have a little surprise for you. You can still have your dessert and eat it too!  Can I have that last chocolate chip cookie, please?

Click below to learn more about carbohydrates and get some low carb recipes along with a few tips.

Low Carbohydrate Recipes

That's it folks for today. See ya' later.

Be sure to check out the  "Good News....Bad News"  below
Have a good day,

Shirley

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