Diabetes is becoming a big problem in this region. One thing you can do for your health is to know how to detect diabetes before it becomes a real problem in your life by not taking care of it.
Diabetes is becoming a big problem in this region. One thing you can do for your health is to know how to detect diabetes before it becomes a real problem in your life by not taking care of it.
Believe it or not there are quite a few people out there who don't know what diabetes is or how to detect it early. Diabetes is a disorder characterized by hyperglycemia or elevated blood glucose (blood sugar). When the amount of sugar in our blood runs too low or too high it is quite normal for anyone to not feel very well. Well, diabetes is a term generally used when describing a medical condition in a person who has a blood sugar level that is consistently high. Millions of people around the world have diabetes in some form – but most of them do not realize it. In the long term diabetes can cause complications concerning the kidneys, eyes, heart, nerves and blood vessels.
There are two types of diabetes; Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes (insulin deficiency) means there is not enough insulin being produced. Type 2 diabetes (insulin resistance) occurs when there is plenty of insulin being produced but cells in our bodies are very resistant to its action, which in turn causes a person's blood sugar to be high.
The most common symptoms of hyperglycemia, otherwise known as diabetes, would be when a person is frequently hungry, frequently thirsty and frequently urinating. Other symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision, wounds healing more slowly, dry mouth, impotence, dry/itchy skin and recurrent infections.
Even though diabetes may sound like a horrible disease it can be easy to live with. The key to doing that is to take care of yourself. Some diabetes patients either don't know about their condition, or will not admit it – and will try to survive without taking medication(s) they need or doing anything in their life to help keep their bodies healthy.
If you wish to watch your blood sugar, whether you are diabetic or not, there are many things you can do at home. Purchase a blood glucose monitor. This can easily be purchased at your local pharmacy or online.
You can consult one of our specialist doctors at iCARE. There are websites that will tell you how high and or low your blood glucose level should be, and, typically, a blood glucose monitor comes with an instruction manual which supplies this information as well. One of the best things a diabetic can do is exercise and eat properly. Not only does exercise help to keep your body in good condition on the outside but it helps on the inside as well. However, if you are a diabetic do not do anything involving weight training. Studies suggest that this can affect your blood glucose level by increasing it.
If you feel that you may be suffering from symptoms, please call our clinic for an initial consultation. You should also know that if a few people in your family have diabetes, there is a greater risk of getting the disease.
Here are some tips:
What healthy food choices should you make?
Eat smaller portions. Learn what a serving size is for different foods and how many servings you need in a meal.
Eat less fat. Choose fewer high-fat foods and use less fat for cooking. You especially want to limit foods that are high in saturated fats or trans fat, such as:
- Fatty cuts of meat.
- Fried Foods
- Whole milk and dairy products made from whole milk.
- Cakes, candy, cookies, crackers, and pies.
- Salad dressings.
- Lard, shortening, stick margarine, and nondairy creamers.
What should you eat more of?
Eat more fiber by eating more whole-grain foods. Whole grains can be found in:
- Breakfast cereals made with 100% whole grains.
- Oatmeal.
- Whole grain rice.
- Whole-wheat bread, bagels, pita bread, and tortillas.
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Choose fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruit and 100% fruit juices most of the time. Eat plenty of veggies like these:
- Dark green veggies (e.g., broccoli, spinach, brussels sprouts).
- Orange veggies (e.g., carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash).
- Beans and peas (e.g., black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils).
What should I eat less of?
Eat fewer foods that are high in sugar, such as:
- Fruit-flavored drinks.
- Sodas.
- Tea or coffee sweetened with sugar.
Use less salt in cooking and at the table. Eat fewer foods that are high in salt, such as:
- Canned and package soups.
- Canned vegetables.
- Pickles.
- Processed meats.
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