The Diabetes Lifestyle

posted by Diabetic-Life
March 4, 2010

diabetesWhen my son was first diagnosed with diabetes three years ago, I was mortified. Admittedly, it took me a couple months to get over my initial shock and being to take action. The doctor was helpful in explaining the disease and the necessary means of coping with it, but I also invested in some books on diabetes to garner some additional information.

There books contained information on lifestyle changes and dietary advice for people with diabetes, and I began implementing them into my son’s life. Over the past three years, the impact of the disease has been minimal, and I am sure that all of the precautions we have taken have something to do with it. Not only has his reformed diet and exercise routine caused him to lose weight, but his father and I have benefitted from the changes too.

Coping With Diabetes In A Healthy And Safe Way

posted by Diabetic-Life
February 17, 2010

diabetic-dietHaving diabetes is not the end of the world. You just need to learn to eat in a more natural way so that your body will redirect itself in a more natural flow. Eat potatoes, pasta and rice in moderation, as these are foods that break down in the body and raise the blood’s glucose levels. Keep sugar levels down as much as possible.

Also make sure you do your own diabetes research if you plan on taking any diabetic supplements without consulting your medical practitioner. Don’t just believe any advertisements you see on TV or any other medium. Do not compromise your health by trial and error. Avoid eating commercially prepared, prepackaged foods even if they are promoted to have low sugar content. Instead, make the effort to prepare more healthy food made of natural ingredients at home.

Being Healthy Means Proper Nutrition & Exercise

posted by Diabetic-Life
February 3, 2010

dande-picWhile many people are confounded and confused about how to stay in shape, the answer is actually quite simple: exercise and eat healthy.  You can find nutrition programs to help you choose the right food to eat and how to prepare healthy meals.  This is very important, especially if you have medical conditions that require you to monitor your food intake.

People who are diabetic should really have a good diabetes nutrition program.  They really need to be mindful of every piece of food they eat and develop a plan for sustained healthy habits. Adding a little light exercise to your daily routine can also help to keep the disease in check.

What is Diabetes?

posted by Diabetic-Life
January 25, 2010

diabetesDue to the rampant obesity in the United States, diabetes is one of the fastest growing health concerns. While most people recognize the fact the diabetes is a debilitating disease, many people still find themselves asking “what is diabetes?” There are two types of diabetes, and they both affect that way that your body uses and processes blood glucose, also known as blood sugar.

Although researchers have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of type 1 diabetes, family history and viral illnesses are suspected to be the main culprits. The more common—and preventable—type of diabetes is type 2. This is caused by a combination of obesity, inactivity, age and several other factors.

Diabetics: Monitoring Blood Sugar

posted by Diabetic-Life
January 11, 2010

diet_diabetesIt’s important for diabetics to maintain normal blood sugar levels at all times. Having a diabetic reaction because of low blood sugar is often avoidable with proper nutrition and regular blood sugar checks. For diabetics with Type 2 diabetes who still use insulin, it’s even more important to monitor blood sugar levels at all times and ensure that the proper amount of insulin is injected.  Diabetes can be well controlled with a regimen of proper diabetes diet and exercise.  When diabetics defer from the regimen it tends to be when blood sugar is liable to become low and spark a diabetic reaction.

In addition to diet and exercise, there are various supplements that can lower blood sugar.  But more than lower blood sugar, these supplements are designed to normalize blood sugar levels so that it becomes less likely for blood sugar to be too high or too low. Regardless of how well controlled diabetes is, it’s important for diabetics to check their blood sugar often. There are some circumstances outside of a diabetic’s control that could cause a reaction, and regular blood sugar checks promote wellness.

Healthy Eating for People with Diabetes

posted by Diabetic-Life
December 18, 2009

diabetesandnutrition_3It’s important for diabetics to regulate the sugar in their diet, as excessive sugar can cause imbalances in insulin levels. It’s best for diabetics to have a balanced diet including plenty of vegetables, some fruit, starches, and protein. In addition, plenty of exercise will help metabolism, but excess exercise can cause the metabolism to work too fast and also cause imbalances insulin levels.  The diabetes diet requires consistency; which is most important for diabetics of both Type1 and Type 2 diabetes. It’s important to eat meals at regular intervals to avoid the body from slowing down or speeding up metabolism in response. If blood sugar levels are too low, or worse, too high, serious damage can occur.

For people who don’t mind a healthy lifestyle, living with diabetes is quite simple. There are millions of diabetics who haven’t had diabetic reactions in years because of good regulation of their insulin levels as well as a tailored diabetic diet complete with regular exercise. You can find out more information on the disease in one of the dozens of reputable diabetes books on the market today.

Controlling Your Diabetes

posted by Diabetic-Life
December 4, 2009

diabetesDiabetes is a serious illness that affects several million Americans.  In the past the disease could be a potential killer, but thanks to medical advancements, diabetes facts are more readily available and the disease is quite manageable through monitoring blood sugar and insulin levels.  Diabetics must ensure that their lifestyle includes proper diet and exercise, and in addition that their medication is taken consistently.

It’s also wise for a diabetic to carry electronic medical records in case of an emergency.  This will help paramedics or hospital personnel to identify the person as a diabetic if they are unable to communicate because of a diabetic reaction or coma. Though diabetes is still a dangerous disease, with the right care, it can become a mere nuisance to every day life.

Evolution of the Insulin Pump

posted by Diabetic-Life
November 23, 2009

insulin_pumpJust a few decades ago, type 1 diabetics had little choice but to inject themselves with insulin several times each day just to survive. Without a fully functioning pancreas to produce insulin and control blood sugar levels, there was really no other option. By the 1970s, more doors had opened and insulin pumps had become a reality. These pumps provide an essential infusion of insulin, working as a sort of artificial pancreas.

As you might expect, diabetes supplies and pump technology has come a long way since its beginnings in the ’70s. Whereas the units were once bulky, uncomfortable, intrusive and overt, they are now small, easy to wear, safe and discreet. The user only needs to feel the prick of a needle once every few days when the tubing is changed. Some pumps are even water-resistant, allowing the wearer to keep them on in the shower.

Should You Be Counting Carbs?

posted by Diabetic-Life
November 9, 2009

diabetes-diet2

Although there is no one ideal diet that experts agree is best for diabetics to follow, it’s possible to provide some rough guidelines that should stand you in good stead. Generally speaking, men require more calories than women because they have greater muscle mass. Carbohydrates should make about half of the daily calories consumed for a diabetic. Counting carbohydrates is an important approach to diet because these are the parts of food that can be broken down into sugar. Carbohydrates cause blood sugar to rise, so it’s essential to keep tabs.

Fruits, starches and milk are the three most common sources of carbs. It’s a common misconception that people with type 1 diabetes must avoid sugar at all costs. Actually, the key is to keep intake consistent and low. That way, regular infusions of insulin can be effective at managing blood sugar. Moderation is the key, so find the happy medium, find all the information on diabetes you can and stay healthy.

Get the Facts before Making Assumptions

posted by Diabetic-Life
October 21, 2009

facts-about-diabetesFinding the best treatment method for diabetes often depends on the specifics of each case. Those with type 1 diabetes rely on regular insulin injections or an attached pump in order to survive. While type 1 diabetes only accounts for about 10 percent of all diabetes cases, millions of people are affected by the chronic disease. People with type 2 diabetes, which is often preventable but can result from a number of factors, can control the problem with healthy diet and exercise choices.

Before making assumptions and judgments about a person’s lifestyle, make sure you get the facts about diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is not preventable, and it’s a condition that patients must deal with for the duration of their lives. Type 2 might not show up until the late stages of life, but poor diet and exercise habits can quicken the onset of the disease.