DIABETES
- What are symptoms of diabetes?
- What should my blood sugar be?
- What are type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
- Do I have to monitor my blood sugar levels?
- Can Diet and exercise help prevent diabetes?
Individuals who think they might have diabetes should visit a physician for diagnosis. They might have SOME or NONE of the following symptoms:
Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme hunger
Sudden vision changes
Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
Feeling very tired much of the time
Very dry skin
Sores that are slow to heal
More infections than usual
A blood glucose range of 80-130 before meals and less than 180 about 2 hours after a meal.
Type 1 diabetes— the body completely stops producing any insulin, a hormone that enables the body to process the glucose found in the foods you eat. People who have type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to survive. This form of diabetes usually develops in children or young adults, but can occur at any age.
Type 2 diabetes— results when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin and/or is unable to use insulin properly (insulin resistance). This form of diabetes usually occurs in people who are age 40 or older, overweight and have a family history of diabetes. Although today, it is increasingly occurring in younger people, particularly adolescents.
Yes. You need to learn how to monitor your blood glucose. Daily testing helps determine if your meal plan, activity plan and medications are working to keep blood glucose levels in a normal range.
Yes, diet and exercise can help prevent diabetes. There is a stage known as pre-diabetes, where chance of progression to diabetes increases. This stage is reversible. It is crucial to control diet and exercise regularly in order to prevent development of diabetes in future. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the first line of defense against diabetes.
