By Staff
Diabetes is a growing health crisis that currently affects more than 18 million Americans.
But if you're living with diabetes or someone you know has been diagnosed with the disease, there's hope.
"Regular exercise, a healthy diet and weight loss all go a long way in managing diabetes," said Dr. Hong T. Vu, an internal medicine specialist with Borgess Lee Medical Group. "If you need to take insulin or other medications, these changes can also help your medicines do their job better."
There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces little or no insulin (a hormone necessary for proper digestion).
Someone who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to live.
About 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2, which is associated with older age, obesity, family history of the disease, previous history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity and ethnicity.
In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas usually makes enough insulin, but for unknown reasons, the body does not use it correctly.
Gestational diabetes develops only during pregnancy.
Women who have gestational diabetes have a 20 to 50 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes within five to 10 years.
The power
of knowledge
Those with diabetes often do not have symptoms or there is a gradual development of symptoms. However, if undetected, type 2 diabetes can cause serious health complications-which is why it's very important to know how to spot the signs.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include:
Increased thirst
Increased hunger (especially after eating)
Dry mouth
Frequent urination
Unexplained weight loss or recent weight gain
Fatigue
Blurred or decreased vision
Headaches
Loss of consciousness (rare)
Slow-healing sores or cuts
Itching of the skin
Frequent yeast infections
Velvety dark skin changes of the neck, armpit and groin
Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet
Impotency
Life through
prevention
You can do a lot to reduce your chances of suffering from type 2 diabetes by shedding extra pounds. Research shows that exercise and a healthy diet can prevent diabetes in people with impaired glucose (sugar) tolerance. The medications metformin and Precose have also shown to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes in individuals with pre-diabetes.
If you already have diabetes, exercise and a nutritionally sound diet will limit the negative effects of the condition.
A few quick tips for healthier eating:
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Non-starchy vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, broccoli and green beans are particularly good choices for diabetics.
Select whole-grain foods instead of processed grain products. For example, try whole-wheat spaghetti with your favorite pasta sauce.
Drink water and calorie-free "diet" drinks versus regular soda, fruit punch, sweet tea or other sugary beverages.
Keep in mind that exercise is anything that gets you moving, such as walking, dancing or working in the yard.
You can reap the advantages of exercise without buying a gym membership, playing sports or using state-of-the-art equipment.
Along with lowering your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, regular activity also helps insulin work better, improves your circulation and keeps your joints flexible.
In addition to eating right and exercising regularly, quitting smoking is crucial.
If you smoke, quitting is one of the best ways to stave off the devastating complications of diabetes, including heart disease. Last but not least, don't forget to visit your doctor regularly to monitor your diabetes for lifelong health.