|
Diabetes
When you think of
the word Diabetes, you think of someone that has a disease
that eventually means losing a limb due to poor blood
circulation. What that's just part of it.
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when a person’s body
doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use insulin
properly. When you have diabetes, the sugar builds up in
your blood instead of moving into the cells. Some, but not
all, of the excess sugar is carried out of your body
(through urine), and the energy is wasted.There are two
types of diabetes. Type 1 occurs when the body doesn’t
produce any insulin. People with type 2 diabetes either
don’t produce enough insulin or their cells ignore the
insulin. Nearly 95% of people with diabetes have Type 2.
Well, how can you help yourself if you have diabetes?
Although diabetes can’t be cured, you can live a long
and healthy life. The single most important thing you can do
is control your blood sugar level. You can do this by eating
right, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and, if
needed, taking oral medicines or insulin.
Eat a healthy diet. The recommended diet for
many people who have diabetes is very similar to that
suggested for people who don't have diabetes. It's important
to eat at least 3 meals per day and never skip a meal. For
more information on diabetes and eating a health diet, check
out "Diabetes and Nutrition" on the internet.
Exercise. Exercising will help your body use
insulin and lower your blood sugar level. For more
information on diabetes and exercising, check out
"Diabetes and Exercise".
Maintain a healthy weight. Losing excess
weight and maintaining a healthy body weight will help you
in 2 ways. First, it helps insulin work better in your body.
Second, it will lower your blood pressure and decrease your
risk for heart disease.
Take your medicine. If your diabetes
can’t be controlled through diet, exercise and weight
control, your doctor may recommend medicine or insulin. Oral
medicines (taken by mouth) can make your body produce more
insulin or help your body use the insulin it makes more
efficiently. Some people need to add insulin to their
bodies. Always take medicines exactly as your doctor tells
you to. For more information on diabetes medicines, check
out "Diabetes Medicines".
|
|