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Diabetes Problems &
Symptoms
Plus potential Diets for
Diabetic people
Diabetes is a disease in
which the glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high. The hormone insulin
usually keeps the blood glucose at the right level. But people with diabetes
either can’t produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin well enough,
so their blood sugar raises too high. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause heart
disease, kidney failure, blindness, and the need for lower-limb amputations.
Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
The two major types of
diabetes are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile-onset diabetes. Type 1
diabetes typically starts in childhood or early adulthood, but it can affect
people of any age. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin regularly
in order to survive. Genetics, environmental conditions, and autoimmune
factors all play a role in whether a person gets type 1 diabetes. (In
autoimmune disorders the body attacks its own cells.)
Type 2 diabetes was formerly called adult-onset diabetes. It usually
begins in adulthood, but more and more children and adolescents are being
diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Obesity, family history of diabetes, and
physical inactivity increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Certain
races are at greater risk than others of contracting the disease. Many
people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood glucose with diet,
exercise, weight control, and medication. Others must also take insulin.
Close to 95% of all people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Because the possible
symptoms are so varied, people may have diabetes without knowing it. That’s
one of the reasons it’s important to have regular check-ups with medical
providers, who can detect the disease through blood tests.
People with diabetes may:
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Feel very
thirsty or hungry
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Have to urinate frequently
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Feel numbness or tingling
in their hands or feet
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Have very dry skin
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Have sores that don’t heal
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Feel very tired
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Lose weight
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Have lots of infections
Diets for People with
Diabetes
Healthy eating helps people
with diabetes reduce and control their blood sugar levels. Keeping blood
sugar low can prevent the serious consequences of diabetes.
A diabetes diet can be simple—a variety of nutritious foods in limited
amounts and at regular times. There may be no need for special foods or
complicated diet plans. A healthy diet for a person with diabetes includes:
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Limited sweets
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Frequent meals
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Ample mixture of fruit,
vegetables, and whole-grain foods
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Low-fat, low-calorie foods
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Attention to the type and
amount of carbohydrates
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Limited use of alcohol
Eating the same amount of carbohydrates and calories every day helps control
both blood sugar and weight. Contact a registered dietician for help
with diabetes problems. They can help set up food plans that work well for
many diabetes issues.
Exercise Helps Control Diabetes
Because it helps control
weight and lower blood sugar, exercise is an important part of diabetes
management. Exercise also lowers the risk of heart disease in people with
diabetes. The type of exercise depends on the physical and medical condition
and exercise experience of the individual. People with diabetes should
consult their doctor before starting an exercise routine.
Here are a few general exercise tips for people with diabetes:
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Check blood sugar before
and after exercising.
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Check feet for sores or
blisters before or after exercising.
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Wear proper socks and
shoes.
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Drink plenty of water
before, during, and after exercising.
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Warm up before exercising
and cool down after.
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Keep a snack on hand in
case blood sugar drops too low during exercise.
Diabetes is a serious disease that requires treatment from a qualified
person only. Along with medication and/or insulin, diet and exercise are
important parts of healthy living for people with diabetes.
Tackling an Overweight Child
You must seek approval from your doctor
before starting any new diet.
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