| Preventing Type 2 Diabetes |
| Written by Michael Corrieri | |
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People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have problems converting their food to energy. After eating, your digestive system breaks down the food into sugar known as glucose. This glucose is carried in the blood stream to all the body’s cells. The cells then use insulin, which is a hormone created in the pancreas, to help them utilize the sugar or glucose and turn it into energy. If you have type 2 diabetes, this means your cells can’t use the insulin right so you need more insulin. Eventually the pancreas won’t be able to make enough insulin. When this happens, the blood glucose levels rise and the cells of your body can’t produce energy. This can cause damage to your nerves, blood vessels and lead to kidney and heart disease, stroke, blindness, and many other complications that can lead to amputation and even death. Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 DiabetesIt is estimated that nearly six million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes and don’t realize it. This is partially due to the fact that they have no signs or symptoms or that the symptoms are so mild they don’t suspect diabetes.Common symptoms include increased thirst and frequent urination, especially at night. You can also be very tired or mentally exhausted. Increased hunger, weight loss and blurred vision are also symptoms of type 2 diabetes. If you have sores or bruises that don’t heal, this can also be a symptom of diabetes. Get Tested For DiabetesAs an adult you should strongly consider getting tested for diabetes as part of your annual checkup if you have any of the risk factors that include family history, being overweight or inactive. Your risk factors are higher if you are of Asian, African-American, American Indian, Hispanic or Pacific Islander decent.The more risk factors you have, the more you need to be tested. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, don’t wait for a checkup, call your doctor now and say you are worried about having diabetes. Testing includes a fasting blood glucose test, and/or an oral glucose tolerance test. Once you have the results your doctor will be able to tell you if you have a normal blood glucose level or if you are pre-diabetic or have diabetes. Pre-diabetesThis just means that your blood sugar level is higher than it should be, but not yet in the diabetic range. In 2007, studies estimated that over 57 million Americans were pre-diabetic. If you are pre-diabetic, you run a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes or developing heart disease and you should have your blood level checked again within one to two years.Reduce Your RiskIf you have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic you can reduce your risk of getting diabetes and even have your blood sugar level return to normal by eating better, losing a little bit of weight at a time, and by increasing your activity level.Start with taking a daily walk and reducing your fat intake. Those two things are high on the list for lowering your risk. Lose a little weigh, and monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and make any adjustments to keep them normal. The biggest changes can be made with just a little activity every day and making good food choices most of the time. As you have success, you do a little more activity and make a few additional changes to your diet. This doesn’t have to be a drastic process, but it needs to be a process you work at every day. A good food choice would be cutting out some of the sugar, fat, salt, and alcohol in your diet. Make a plan that helps you change your behavior. Break it down into specific steps, start times and make sure you have the things you need. For instance, your plan for this month might be to substitute fat free alternative for the cream in your coffee and to have fruit and a piece of whole wheat toast for breakfast instead of a donut. Then you will walk around the block after breakfast or ride a stationary bike for five minutes. The plan is specific on time, plus you know you need to have the non-fat creamer, fruit and whole wheat toast on hand. It would be great if you could set a time with a neighbor to join with you on the walk and to take your children with you. Have a backup plan if it rains or make sure you have all weather gear. Is there a nearby mall, where you can mall-walk? Keep a small notebook and write a few sentences each day about your progress. How long did it take you to walk around the block those first days? And at the end of the month? Little steps will mean a lot. For the second month, add to the first month’s changes and make a few additions to your plan. Keep going and pretty soon you’ll have significantly lowered your risk for diabetes. |
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