by David Cowley

Created on: March 19, 2010

Diabetes is a disease that is incurable and afflicts about sixteen million people in the U.S. Diabetes causes those afflicted to need to change their lifestyle for the rest of their lives. If you have diabetes you face an increased chance of contracting heart disease and you face a higher risk for such things as blindness and amputations of toes. Frequently, diabetes causes complications such as kidney failure as well.

The disease occurs among all ethnicities and ages, but more among older people and certain ethnicities such as Asian Americans and African Americans. Diabetes involves the body either not having enough insulin or an insufficient ability to use it, with the result that sugar and fats stay in the bloodstream instead of entering body cells, and over time vital organs are damaged.

Types of Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1, also known as juvenile onset or insulin dependent diabetes, is more serious. Type 1 diabetes causes are not well understood. The pancreas cannot produce insulin, and someone with this type of diabetes must use insulin medication, along with exercise and dietary changes, in order to survive.

Type 2, also known as adult onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes, is much more common. Type 2 diabetes causes are better understood. With this type, the body does not use insulin well, and type 2 diabetics are treated with dietary changes, weight reduction, and exercise, along with some medications if needed. The most common signs that you may have diabetes include a frequent need to urinate, rapid weight loss, frequent thirst, an unusual amount of hunger, weakness and fatigue.

Controlling Diabetes Effects

Once you have diabetes, there are many things that you can do to control its effects.  Probably the most important thing you can do is to change your diet so that the foods you eat contain less fat, sugar, and salt, and have more fiber. For example, fruits, grains, beans, and vegetables are good. Exercising regularly is also important.

Exercise doesn’t need to be very strenuous, and good types of exercise include swimming, walking, riding bicycles, bowling, and dancing. The key is to do it regularly, three or four times a week or more, for at least a half hour each time. If you are not used to exercising you can start with doing just a few minutes each time and then gradually increase the amount of time and how much effort you put into it. A third thing you can do is test your blood sugar level on a schedule provided by your physician.

Since untreated diabetes causes sugar levels to become too high, the goal of the exercise and diet is to keep your blood sugar level at the proper amount, which is measured by a number that should be from about 70 to 150. Its normal for the level to be higher right after a meal, but it shouldn’t get too much higher. This is why it’s a good idea to eat frequent small meals rather than a few big ones each day, especially for those with type 1 diabetes.

Preventing Diabetes

Although diabetes causes are not completely understood and there is a genetic component that you can’t control, it is possible to greatly reduce your chances of contracting at least the more common type 2 diabetes by making the same kinds of dietary changes and exercise regimes that people who already have diabetes employ. Your diet doesn’t need to be as radically low in sugar, but the point is that exercise and a good diet are not only good for your health in general but can also prevent specific diseases.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

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