What Can It Do to Me?
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is the medical condition in which the body has too much of the hormone insulin, not allowing your cells to use the sugars that you are taking in, as fuel.
Diabetes, otherwise known as adult-onset diabetes or juvenile diabetes, is actually a collective term for a number of conditions involving how the body transforms food into energy, how it absorbs the energy and what happens when your pancreas fails to release insulin properly. When you eat a starch, your pancreas first converts it into glucose, which is then sent to the bloodstream as a fuel. Once it reaches the bloodstream, insulin is released and your cells begin to process the glucose as fuel. Your pancreas, however, may produce more insulin than you need to process the amount of glucose you ingest. This causes you to gain weight and is called hyperglycemia.
The type of diabetes you have, whether it is Type 1 or Type 2, will determine the medications that you will take. If you have diabetes type 2, your doctor can recommend medication to help control your condition. The two major types of this disease are the juvenile type and the adult type. In the juvenile type, your pancreas does not produce enough insulin to handle the amount of glucose in your body takes in, therefore absorbing the glucose from the food you eat. In the adult type, your pancreas produces more insulin but is not able to absorb as much glucose as normal, resulting in a high blood glucose level.
Because both types of diabetes result from the pancreas not working properly, you may choose to take medication to treat both types. The medications that are prescribed will be tailored to your specific type of diabetes. Your doctor may prescribe insulin for Type 2, an oral medication for Type 1, and possibly a diabetic test strip for Type 1.
Insulin pumps are also available for people with Type 2 diabetes. They assist with controlling your blood sugar levels by injecting your arm or leg with insulin, which is then delivered through a pump to a small area in your forearm.
Your doctor will most likely recommend a diet plan to you. It is important that you follow this plan, especially since your doctor will most likely tell you that you must take in less sugar than normal, as this can cause damage to the joints, bones and nerves in your extremities, thus causing you to lose feeling in those areas.
To lose weight and maintain a healthy and low-calorie diet, you should eat foods that contain the right amounts of protein, fiber and calcium. If your blood sugar levels are out of whack, then you should increase your exercise. Walking is an excellent form of exercise. Staying physically active will help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
You should start to see improvements fairly quickly with your diabetes if you are not on insulin. You should speak with your physician about your condition and ask him or her if you can make any changes in your lifestyle or diet to help you achieve your goals and maintain your current weight.
If you are on insulin for Type 2 diabetes, you will need to increase your consumption of whole grains and fiber. Your diet will need to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, meats, legumes and low-fat dairy products. If you are not on insulin and have type 2 diabetes, you will need to decrease your intake of these foods. Focusing on eating a well-balanced diet will help your blood sugar levels.
While taking insulin for Type 2 diabetes may provide benefits, you should avoid excessive use of this medication if you have never had it before. As your body adjusts to the medication, your body will experience side effects that you can experience if you are taking too much insulin.
Your doctor may also prescribe medications to help you lower your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. If you do take any of these medications, you should speak with your physician to decide if you are a good candidate for them.
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Diabetes Symptoms
Bottom-line, diabetes is a disease. And it generally affects the cells in the body. Some of the most common symptoms of diabetes include weight gain, frequent urination and thirst.
Sugar is used by the body for energy. Diabetes occurs when the amount of sugar in your blood stream does not return to normal. The symptoms of diabetes include: increased thirst and urination. increased hunger. fatigue. blurred vision.
Sudden weight loss is also a symptom of diabetes. Symptoms include: rapid and irregular heartbeat, excessive sweating, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting. Soreness of the mouth and a lump near the nipple area are also symptoms.
Symptoms include: loss of appetite, increased uric acid, and dark urine. Other symptoms may include: unexplained weight loss, fever and jaundice, swelling or bruising around the ankles and fingers.
Blood pressure may rise when you have diabetes. Signs include: dizziness, fatigue, pain in the chest, and shortness of breath.
Symptoms can vary from person to person. If you are pregnant, you may want to contact your doctor as a pregnant woman may have more symptoms than someone who is not.
When you have diabetes, it can affect the way that you feel. Some of the symptoms of diabetes include: depression, fatigue, loss of interest in things like work and hobbies, loss of memory, and increased blood pressure.
If you are concerned about the symptoms of diabetes, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if your symptoms may be signs of another health problem that needs treatment.
A diabetic diet is important for treating diabetes. Your doctor can help you determine what type of diabetic diet is best for your type of diabetes. You should make sure that your diet includes foods that are high in fiber. Fiber will help lower your blood sugar level and will help you keep yourself from feeling hungry all day long.
Foods that are high in fiber include oatmeal, beans, nuts, grains and whole grains. You should make sure that you are getting plenty of fluids on a daily basis. Drinking water and juices will help you keep your blood sugar level at a healthy level.
Carbohydrates are important for the body to function properly. However, too much glucose in the bloodstream can cause your blood sugar level to increase. You can control diabetes by watching your blood sugar levels and avoiding foods that are high in carbohydrates.
Foods with high-fiber carbohydrates include fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains. Whole grains and vegetables have fiber that can help reduce the amount of glucose in your bloodstream.
Eating foods that are low in carbohydrates will help you keep your blood sugar levels in check and will also help you feel full longer. Some of the good foods you should eat include: green leafy vegetables, whole grains, carrots, beans, potatoes, apples and whole wheat bread.
There are some medications that you can take for diabetics that will help reduce the symptoms. A dietitian may recommend that you start a daily walk regimen if you have diabetes. It will help you lose weight and it will also exercise your body. You should also drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Your dietitian can also give you information on how to manage your diabetes naturally. If you take a daily vitamin and minerals supplement, your blood sugar level may be monitored at regular intervals and your medication may be adjusted accordingly.
Many people are surprised to learn that exercise can also help their diabetes patients. Physical activity has been shown to help the body cope with diabetes without taking medication.
An exercise program is a great way to help diabetes patients lose weight. The amount of weight lost is dependent on the person’s ability to exercise and the intensity and duration of the exercise program.
Exercise can also reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. This is very good news for anyone who is suffering from diabetes.