People who suffer with diabetes do not produce enough
insulin or their bodies do not use insulin effectively. Insulin turns food into
energy. Obesity and a lack of exercise can factor into whether you develop
diabetes.
More than 1/3 of the 21 million children and adults who have
diabetes do not know it. Too often, diabetes symptoms including too frequent
urination, extreme thirst and other simple symptoms are overlooked.
This chronic disease has
no cure. Sadly, untreated it can create other health problems. Diabetes is the
leading cause of preventable blindness. Untreated, diabetes can lead to
premature death.
People with diabetes often suffer from high blood pressure,
which can lead to heart attacks and stroke. Kidney disease is common in
diabetics. Left untreated, ulcers on the feet and legs can lead to amputations.
Some people believe that when they are diagnosed with
diabetes that they will have to make dramatic life changes and start taking
insulin. This is not the case. Some believe that diabetes is contagious. It
most certainly is not.
The proper
diet for a diabetic is not much different from a diet that would be
healthy for most of us. Lower fats, moderate intake of sugar and salt and
healthy meals are necessary for diabetics. One caution about high carbohydrate
meals they can elevate your blood sugar levels.
Those who have diabetes are typically encouraged to get flu
shots, but unlike popular myths, diabetics are no more likely to get a cold or
the flu than anyone else is. Colds and flu do can affect blood sugar levels so
a diabetes patient must pay special attention for unusual symptoms.
In the past, there have been concerns that insulin treatment
for diabetics increased the risk of high blood pressure, obesity and
arteriosclerosis. Various scientific studies have determined that the risk of
these side effects are not significant enough to warrant discontinuing insulin
treatments.
A nutritionist can help a diabetic learn how to eat healthy.
Primary care physicians typically handle most diabetics' day-to-day care. Eye
specialists are necessary for diabetics to prevent eye disease.
Be sure to educate yourself on all the risks associated with
diabetes and keep close watch on your blood sugar levels. Contact your doctor
should you have any questions or concerns or if your blood sugar levels become
elevated above the levels defined by your physician.