Tips For Health Awareness -
Basics About Diabetes
Basics About Diabetes
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
People who think they might have diabetes must visit a physician for diagnosis. They might have SOME or NONE of the following symptoms:
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Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugar to build up in your blood.
DISCLAIMER: We do not claim to be experts on, anatomy, physiology, or any other biological science. We are merely attempting to compile information that we have either read in books or been presented by knowledgeable sources. The techniques, ideas, and suggestions in this document are not intended as a substitute for proper medical advice. Please consult a physician or health care professional before beginning a new diet or exercise program.
Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme hunger
Sudden vision changes
Excessive thirst
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme hunger
Sudden vision changes
Feeling very tired much of the time
Very dry skin
Sores that are slow to heal
More infections than usual
Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
Very dry skin
Sores that are slow to heal
More infections than usual
Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may accompany some of these symptoms in the abrupt onset of insulin-dependent diabetes, now called type 1 diabetes.
What are the risk factors for diabetes?
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, prior history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, physical inactivity, and race/ethnicity. African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and some Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at particularly high risk for type 2 diabetes.
Risk factors are less well defined for type 1 diabetes than for type 2 diabetes, but autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors are involved in developing this type of diabetes.
Gestational diabetes occurs more frequently in African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and people with a family history of diabetes than in other groups. Obesity is also associated with higher risk. Women who have had gestational diabetes are at increased risk for later developing type 2 diabetes. In some studies, nearly 40% of women with a history of gestational diabetes developed diabetes in the future.
What is the treatment for diabetes?
Healthy eating, physical activity, and insulin injections are the basic therapies for type 1 diabetes. The amount of insulin taken must be balanced with food intake and daily activities. Blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent blood glucose testing.
Healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing are the basic therapies for type 2 diabetes. In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels.
People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care, and keep blood glucose levels from going too low or too high.
People with diabetes should see a health care provider who will monitor their diabetes control and help them learn to manage their diabetes. In addition, people with diabetes may see endocrinologists, who may specialize in diabetes care; ophthalmologists for eye examinations; podiatrists for routine foot care; and dietitians and diabetes educators who teach the skills needed for daily diabetes management.
The Diabetes Overview fact sheet from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse has additional information.
Healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing are the basic therapies for type 2 diabetes. In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels.
People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care, and keep blood glucose levels from going too low or too high.
People with diabetes should see a health care provider who will monitor their diabetes control and help them learn to manage their diabetes. In addition, people with diabetes may see endocrinologists, who may specialize in diabetes care; ophthalmologists for eye examinations; podiatrists for routine foot care; and dietitians and diabetes educators who teach the skills needed for daily diabetes management.
The Diabetes Overview fact sheet from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse has additional information.
Can diabetes be prevented?
A number of studies have shown that regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity.
Researchers are making progress in identifying the exact genetics and "triggers" that predispose some individuals to develop type 1 diabetes, but prevention remains elusive.
Research studies have found that moderate weight loss and exercise can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes among adults at high-risk of diabetes. Find out more about the risk factors for type 2 diabetes, what it means to have prediabetes, and what you can do to prevent or delay diabetes. See also EAT RIGHT and BE ACTIVE.
Researchers are making progress in identifying the exact genetics and "triggers" that predispose some individuals to develop type 1 diabetes, but prevention remains elusive.
Research studies have found that moderate weight loss and exercise can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes among adults at high-risk of diabetes. Find out more about the risk factors for type 2 diabetes, what it means to have prediabetes, and what you can do to prevent or delay diabetes. See also EAT RIGHT and BE ACTIVE.
Eat Right - Healthy food choices
Eat smaller portions. Learn what a serving size is for different foods and how many servings you need in a meal.
Eat less fat. Choose fewer high-fat foods and use less fat for cooking. You especially want to limit foods that are high in saturated fats or trans fat.
Make a diabetes meal plan. Contact a registered dietitian to make a meal plan just for you. - Visit the American Dietetic Association Web site to find a nutrition professional that can help you develop a healthy meal plan (www.eatright.org) or Visit the American Diabetes Association Web site for more information on carbohydrate counting and the exchange method (www.diabetes.org)
Eat less fat. Choose fewer high-fat foods and use less fat for cooking. You especially want to limit foods that are high in saturated fats or trans fat.
Make a diabetes meal plan. Contact a registered dietitian to make a meal plan just for you. - Visit the American Dietetic Association Web site to find a nutrition professional that can help you develop a healthy meal plan (www.eatright.org) or Visit the American Diabetes Association Web site for more information on carbohydrate counting and the exchange method (www.diabetes.org)
Be physically active
Physical activity can help you control your blood glucose, weight, and blood pressure, as well as raise your “good” cholesterol and lower your “bad” cholesterol. It can also help prevent heart and blood flow problems, reducing your risk of heart disease and nerve damage, which are often problems for people with diabetes.
Experts recommend moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days of the week. Some examples of moderate-intensity physical activity are walking briskly, mowing the lawn, dancing, swimming, or bicycling.
Experts recommend moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days of the week. Some examples of moderate-intensity physical activity are walking briskly, mowing the lawn, dancing, swimming, or bicycling.
Eat more of...
Eat more fiber by eating more whole-grain foods.
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day.
Choose fresh, frozen, or dried fruit and 100% fruit juices most of the time.
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day.
Choose fresh, frozen, or dried fruit and 100% fruit juices most of the time.
Oatmeal
Whole grain rice
Whole-wheat bread
Dark green veggies- broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts
Orange veggies - carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash
Beans and peas - black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans
Whole grain rice
Whole-wheat bread
Dark green veggies- broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts
Orange veggies - carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash
Beans and peas - black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans
Eat less of...
Eat fewer foods that are high in sugar, such as:
Fruit-flavored drinks, Sodas, and Tea or coffee sweetened with sugar.
Use less salt in cooking and at the table. Eat fewer foods that are high in salt, such as: Canned and package soups, Canned vegetables, Pickles, and Processed meats.
Fruit-flavored drinks, Sodas, and Tea or coffee sweetened with sugar.
Use less salt in cooking and at the table. Eat fewer foods that are high in salt, such as: Canned and package soups, Canned vegetables, Pickles, and Processed meats.
If you are not accustomed to physical activity, you may want to start with a little exercise, and work your way up. As you become stronger, you can add a few extra minutes to your physical activity. Do some physical activity every day. It’s better to walk 10 or 20 minutes each day than one hour once a week.
