Diabetes Resource Association

Quiet Disease

Most diseases cause pain or physical disability of some sort. Diabetes, however, can go for years before the signs and symptoms are significant enough to convince the patient that they must bring their diabetes under control. It is said to be a silent killer, because anyone can have a heart attack with no notice—and failing to get diabetes under control is almost a guarantee that it will happen at some point.

Aim at Getting Diabetes under Control

Many people have a great deal of difficulty getting diabetes under control. Some don’t take it seriously, some are in denial, and some don’t care. Whether or not they are putting in a solid effort to control the disease, they need to do their best to get everything in line before we start experiencing the minor symptoms of the disease.

How to Convince Someone to Get Diabetes under Control

If frequent lectures from a doctor about dying early or the risk of a heart attack don’t work, or if viewing TV diagnosis specials where patients lose limb after limb due to gangrene, you can’t convince someone that doesn’t want to hear it. However, once they experience aches and pains, frequent urination, intense thirst, headaches, pain in the feet and other extremities (from nerve damage), tooth problems that turn into abscesses, and frequent and painful yeast infections, they may be more likely to listen. Any of these symptoms may push a patient into the realization that they need to get their diabetes under control and do it now.

Diabetes Under Control—Is It Worth It?

The results may not be immediate, but it is definitely worth the effort to get diabetes under control. Whether it’s adding 15 years to your lifespan, avoiding a heart attack, or just relieving of the pain of semi-monthly yeast infections, the outcome is worth it. It is, however, an ongoing process of getting and keeping diabetes under control. The body’s ability to handle and produce insulin changes, blood sugars fluctuate, and sickness or infection plays havoc with glucose production.

Diabetes under Control—Keep it That Way

Not following a diet or exercising habits, or taking medication as necessary, can make the difference between diabetes under control and diabetes out of control. Letting go of a routing for as little as two weeks can make a major difference in the affect of the disease. Since it sometimes takes two weeks or longer for medication to begin working, missing two weeks can set you back four weeks in your program.

When it comes to your health and well-being, being updated and informed is essential to staying healthy and living a long, happy life. If you are living with diabetes, then having access to diabetes diet information is a must. Here is some diabetes diet information that you may want to be aware of:

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is something everyone should be concerned about, especially if it runs in your family, as it is genetic as well as environmentally linked to you. When you consume food, especially starchy or sugary foods, your blood glucose levels rise. As a reaction to this, your body will release a chemical called insulin, which is used to break down the glucose in your blood and convert it to energy for you to do your daily activities with. When your body does not release enough insulin, or when certain cells resist the effects of insulin, this can cause the elevated levels to be converted to fat instead of energy. This can create problems for your heart; cholesterol levels and is a main cause of diabetes.

Treatment

As part of your treatment, your physician will give you diabetes diet information that you will need to have in order to stay healthy and to avoid getting very sick. He or she will also prescribe insulin shots, and/or other medications to keep your body producing enough insulin to break down glucose. Although the medication is essential in maintaining health, a healthy diet is needed to control your diabetes.

Diet Information

The kind of diabetes diet information that your doctor will suggest to you depends on your overall health. If you have high cholesterol as well as diabetes, your doctor will suggest the south beach diet, which is focused on a well rounded blend of whole grains, fruit and lean protein to lower cholesterol and blood sugar. If you want to just keep your blood sugar down, then the Atkins or Zone diet may work to greatly reduce the sugar intake in your diet, with foods such as meat, cheese and vegetables.

Whatever works for you is best when it comes to your diabetes. Be sure to get your diabetes diet information from your doctor or someone who is knowledgeable of your individual health. Avoid getting too involved in a fad diet to control your diabetes, as this could adversely affect your health. Consult your doctor before you begin any diet regimen.