Do you suspect you have diabetes?

Do you have to urinate three to four times at bedtime?
Do you feel unusual thirst?

Do you get tired easily?
Did you have a rapid loss of weight?

If you do, you may be suffering from Diabetes. Don’t waste time. Consult your doctor immediately.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious chronic metabolic disease characterized by an increase in blood sugar levels associated with long term damage and failure or organ functions, especially the eyes, the kidneys, the nerves, the heart and blood vessels.

How does one become a diabetic?

Diabetes occurs when insulin is not adequately produced by the pancreas. It also happens when the body cannot properly use insulin.
Insulin is a hormone necessary for the proper utilization of sugar by muscles, fat and liver.

What are the complications of diabetes?
In diabetics, blood sugar reaches a dangerously high level which leads to complications.

• Blindness
• Kidney failure
• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Wounds that would not heal
• Impotence

What are the types of diabetes?

Type 1 – Insulin dependent diabetes

Develops during childhood or adolescence and affects about 10% of all diabetic patients. Sufferers require a lifetime of insulin injection for survival since their pancreas cannot produce insulin.

Type 2 – Non-insulin dependent diabetes

How will you know if you are a diabetic?

If you urinate frequently, experience excessive thirst and unexplained weight loss.
If your casual blood sugar (plasma glucose) level is higher than 200mg/dl.
If you have fasting plasma glucose level of not more than 126mg/dl.

If you have any these symptoms, especially if you are overweight or hypertensive, you should see your doctor right away for proper guidance and treatment.

Who are at risk of diabetes?

children of diabetics
obese people
people with hypertension
people with high cholesterol levels
people with sedentary lifestyles

What can you do to control your blood sugar?

1. Diet Therapy

Avoid simple sugars like cakes and chocolates. Instead have complex carbohydrated like rice, pasta, cereals and fresh fruits.
Do not skip or delay meals. It causes fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
Eat more fiber-rich foods like vegetables.
Cut down on salt.
Avoid alcohol. Dietary guidelines recommend no more than two drinks for men and no more than one drink per day for women.

2. Exercise
Regular exercise is an important part of diabetes control.

Daily exercise . . .
Improves cardiovascular fitness
Helps insulin to work better and lower blood sugar
Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels

Reduces body fat and controls body weight Exercise at least 3 time a week for ate least 30 minutes each session. Always carry quick sugar sources like candy or softdrink to avoid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) during and after exercise.

3. Control your weight
If you are overweight or obese, start weight reduction by diet and exercise. This improves your cardiovascular risk profile.

It lowers your blood sugar
It improves your lipid profile
It improves your blood pressure control

4. Quit smoking.
Smoking is harmful to your health. 5. Maintain a normal blood pressure.
Since having hypertension puts a person at high risk of cardiovascular disease, especially if it is associated with diabetes, reliable BP monitoring and control is recommended. See your doctor for advice and management.

If there is no improvement in blood sugar what advice can I expect my doctor to give?

There are drug therapies using oral hypoglycemic agents. Your doctor can prescribe one or two agent, depending on which is appropriate for you.

1. Sulfonylurea – Glibenclamide, Gliclazide, Glipizide, Glimepiride, Repaglinide
2. Biguanide – Metformin
3. Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors – Acarbose
4. Thiazolidindione – Troglitazone, Rosiglitazone, Proglitazone. Remember

If you have the classic symptoms of diabetes:

See your doctor for blood sugar testing

Start dieting

• eat plenty of vegetables
• avoid sweets such as chocolates and cakes
• cut down on fatty foods

Exercise regularly
If you are obese, try to lose some weight
Avoid alcohol drinking and stop smoking
If you are hypertensive, consult your doctor for advice and management\

So why did I took time to research about this, because I bet soon I will be named as

DIANEBETES

Evidence #2