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Diabetics bodies are unable to absorb the glucose from their food because of insulin resistance or a lack of insulin, so the sugar stays in their blood. There are two kinds of diabetes, one that usually develops at quite a young age and which involves having to inject insulin every day. This is called Type 1. The other, Type 2, usually develops later in life and often seems to be connected to lifestyle.
Uncontrolled diabetes is very dangerous and, untreated, can result in blindness, kidney failure, stroke, heart attack, impotence and lower limb amputations.
People with Type 2 usually develop the disease after 45, but don't know they have it until they have severe symptoms or are treated for one of the disease's serious complications. The risk for this disease increases with age. The risk of developing Type 1 diabetes is higher than virtually all other severe chronic diseases of childhood and it seems to peak during puberty. It is most likely to show up in boys when they are between 12 and 14.
People with a family history of diabetes are more at risk than those who don't have diabetic family members. For Type 2 diabetes, people who are over 45, overweight and under-exercised are most at risk.
1. Excessive thirst or hunger.
2. Having to pee more (and often).
3. Losing weight.
4. Feeling tired and weak.
5. Itchy skin.
6. Blurred vision.
7. Slow healing of cuts and wounds.
8. Frequent infections.
With society becoming generally fatter and lazier, Type 2 diabetes is nearing what some consider to be epidemic proportions. It seems to be possible to prevent getting Type 2 diabetes, or at least to delay its onset, by reducing lifestyle risk factors like obesity lack of exercise.
Regular as clockwork Eat three regular meals a day. Blood sugar controllers The fibre found in oats, fruits and vegetables, dry beans, peas and lentils is particularly good at helping control blood sugar levels.
Pull your sweet tooth Choose sugar-free food and drink and use artificial sweeteners where necessary. Fat chance Reducing the fat in your food has all kinds of benefits, including reducing the risk of developing diabetes. When eating out, choose clear soups, dressing-free salads, grilled fish, plain baked potatoes and vegetables. Cut the kook, burgers, chips, pastries and cakes are full of fat. Stop eating them or at least cut down. Don't booze it up on an empty stomach. Always have a snack or a meal with your alcohol. No more than two drinks a day is the maximum you should be indulging in anyway.
Lifestyle
If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, wear a medic-alert bracelet specifying what type of diabetes you have.
Fitness
Keeps blood glucose at the right level.
1. Reduces the risk of developing heart disease and high blood pressure.
2. Helps with weight loss which makes the body more sensitive to insulin and therefore improves blood glucose control.
3. Any exercise is better than none at all. Small changes to your movement habits contribute to health, so take the stairs instead of the lift and cycle to the cafe instead of driving.