Diabetes

The main cause of diabetes is the body’s failure to produce enough of the insulin hormone. Another cause could be that the body develops a resistance to insulin.
• Type I diabetes is caused by decreased insulin production.
• Type II is insulin resistant in peripheral tissues.
• In juvenile diabetes, the cause could be a lack of vitamin D.
There is also gestational diabetes that only occurs in pregnant women. These are only a few of the different types of diabetes.

It is suspected that there may be many contributors to diabetes. Genetics, environmental factors, obesity, lack of exercise, and high fat diets are just a few causes linked to diabetes. You cannot become a diabetic just because you eat a lot of sugars and candies, but if you are predisposed to the disease these factors may raise your risk of becoming a diabetic.

A sedentary lifestyle can also lead to diabetes, since the body cannot perform as well as someone in good physical condition.

Most scientists believe that you must be born predisposed to this disease. In other words, your body is more susceptible because of the genetic make-up of your ancestors. If your parents, grandparents, or siblings have diabetes you are at greater risk. However, this is dependant upon the type of diabetes.
Managing Diabetes – Understanding the Issue
Is managing diabetes possible? The attitudes towards diabetes may range from indifference to extreme fear and agitation. Therefore, a clear understanding of the disease will help promote a proactive attitude towards its management. Simply put, diabetes is a condition in which the amount of glucose in the blood is too high because the body cannot handle it properly. This condition results from the inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient amounts of insulin. Insulin is the hormone that enables the body to properly use glucose and directing it to the cells where it is used for fuel. Glucose comes from carbohydrate digestion. In order to successfully manage diabetes, a means must be found to assist the body in properly digesting and metabolizing glucose.

Managing Diabetes – Practical Steps
There are several ways to manage diabetes. However, every program of diabetes management will require a change of mindset and lifestyle.
• The first step in managing diabetes is to commit yourself to the care of a health professional. The healthcare professional will determine the severity of the patient’s diabetes and decide if insulin injections are required. In some less severe cases, pills may be given to aid in the body’s use of glucose. One of the aims of the health professional is to instruct the patient about controlling blood glucose levels. Insulin injections or pills taken at prescribed times achieve this goal.
• Beyond medical intervention, the most important method of managing diabetes is a change in lifestyle. This change will include careful attention to diet and increased physical activity. Since diabetes is a condition where the blood glucose levels are too high, dietary plans to manage diabetes will include maintaining consistent levels of blood glucose throughout the day. A certified dietician can help determine what levels are optimal for each individual. These levels will be determined by many physical factors, including sex, age, occupation, and other health conditions. It is important to note (and take heart) that modifying diet to manage diabetes does not mean that any one food must be eliminated from your diet.

The key to proper diet is balance and the healthy diabetic diet is simply a healthy diet, one that all individuals should adopt. Proper dietary management of diabetes includes eating regular meals based on wholegrain varieties of breads, cereals and pasta. At least five portions of fruits and vegetables should be eaten on a daily basis. Fruit intake should be spread out during the day to maintain optimal blood glucose levels. A good diet will also have lower salt and fat intake. Sugary foods should be cut to a minimum. If rich desserts are eaten, intake of other fats and carbohydrates need to be drastically reduced.
• Another factor in diabetic management is maintaining a safe weight. Most individuals with type 2 diabetes, the type of diabetes that occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin produced does not work properly, are overweight. Losing weight will not only help control diabetes but lower the risk of other health problems such as cardiovascular diseases.

Successful diabetic management will require increased physical activity. Walking is a natural exercise that most people can do. Whenever possible, walk instead of ride, and take stairs instead of elevators and escalators. Increased physical activity goes beyond regulating blood sugar levels, it also benefits the heart, lungs, and joints and gives a sense of well being.
No one needs to succumb to the long-term negative side effects of diabetes. One needs to submit to the regular care of a health professional and take prescribed medication. Adopting a new lifestyle and mindset is a vital key to success. Eating wisely, watching your weight and increasing physical activity bring diabetes management into the realm of the possibility. These lifestyle changes make for all around good health.

Managing Diabetes – The Mental Aspects
The mental aspect of managing diabetes is often overlooked in published information. Diabetes can be emotionally difficult and may lead to depression. It is important to remember that you are not alone.