| There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 occurs when the body does not produce insulin at all. People suffering from type 2 diabetes either are deficient in insulin, or their cells disregard the insulin their body makes. Nearly 95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. This is sometimes also called "adult-onset" diabetes. If untreated, diabetes can result in blindness, nerve and blood vessel damage that brings on foot or leg amputation, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and death.
BE WELL-AWARE OF RISK FACTORS
If the kid you gave birth to weighed more than 9 pounds and/or if you had gestational diabetes while you were pregnant, you are also at higher risk of diabetes. Men and women over 45 are also at high risk. You are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, if it runs in your family, or if you are in an ethnic minority group.
If you are in the risk group, your doctor may want to begin regular diabetes screening. The earlier you discover you have diabetes, the more you and your physician can do to insure you stay healthy.
CHANGE WHAT YOU CAN
Unfortunately, you can do nothing to change your age, ethnicity or family history, but there are a few factors that you can take control of. Your diabetes risk also heightens if:
• You are obese.
• You do not take exercise regularly.
• You have an unhealthy diet.
If you know you are at risk, making appropriate choices about what you eat and drink and exercise can help you stay healthy. Studies have shown that being on a nutritious diet and doing exercise can preclude or delay type 2 diabetes.
If you are fat, note that a large weight gain is the single most significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Between 80% and 90% of people with diabetes are obese. Losing weight and controlling it can help forestall diabetes. Consume a diversity of products, including those containing a lot of fiber. Try to receive less than 30% of your daily calories from fat foods. Also, eat less.
Keep in mind that any amount of physical activity is better than none. Ride an exercise bicycle while watching the evening news or your favorite talk-show. Most of all, make sure you take up an activity that appeals to you, so you will stick with it.
By simply knowing your risk factors and getting into the habit of eating healthy foods and doing exercise regularly, you can control your health. |
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