Diabetes Management For The Cool, Smart and Trendy

Knowing how to identify the types of diabetes in Diabetes Management system

There are two types, Type-1 and Type-2,  of diabetes to which the Diabetes Management system can apply.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the more common one . This condition  is a chronic progressive disease associated with long term complications, high morbidity and mortality rates. A major factor is the tendency for the  blood glucose levels to be high because of the high insulin resistance of the body.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85% to 96% of all diagnosed diabetic cases and is reported to be largely due to lifestyle factors such as calorie dense diets, obesity and inactivity.

This type of diabetes is usually common in older adults 60 years, and usually develops when the body cannot produce enough insulin or when the insulin produced does not work properly. The result is  high blood sugar in the body leading to lots of complications, if not treated in time. These complications include, but not limited to obesity, high blood pressure, compromised  immune system, which  makes the diabetic susceptible to repeated or hard-to-heal infections, blurred vision, and dry, itchy skin. Failure to initiate corrective steps to bring diabetes under control, can lead to death.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the cells of the body do not respond to insulin the way they should. In many cases, Type II diabetics may take pills to help their body become more receptive to insulin.  This treatment is usually used in company with a change in diet, among other things.

Today, in developed economies, especially here in the U.S., there are increasing concerns of increased risk of developing diabetes, among not just the 60 years old,  but also the kids.. This is due to our current lifestyles of a generally sedentary culture, lack of exercises, remote control hugging, computer Playstation addiction’ These practices are resulting in hormonal changes, especially extreme obesity, that are exposing much younger people to syndromes and conditions that trigger this type of diabetes mellitus.

Our society of privileges and entitlements, our  children and adolescents, products of baby boomers and soccer mom generations, are increasingly, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, and the American Diabetes Association, sitting on a huge time bomb of type 2 diabetes epidemic explosion, of unimaginable proportions.

One of the most common chronic diseases in children of today’s comfortable societies, type 2 diabetes now, across all ages.  occurs more frequently than cancer, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy.

Even though modern research is still out there searching for the real cause of type 2 diabetes, what actually produces it, a number of risk factors have been identified.  These include Weight, physical inactivity and race/ethnicity.

Heredity is also being accepted as a factor as there is enough evidence to show that that diabetes runs in families, suggesting that genetics may play a role.

Pre-diabetes, evident predisposition is a key stage in the development of type 2 diabetes, and an early alert can help to stop its future development if the necessary preventive steps are followed.

These include firm dietary programs to reduce excess sugar, cholesterol,foor portion, metabolism enhancing regular exercise and regular monitoring of blood sugar, among others.

At this level, a pre-diabetic case may not go on to develop type 2 diabetes. These lifestyle changes may be adequate in controlling blood glucose levels,  making use of insulain tablets or injections unnecessary.

Sometimes, even an untreated pre-diabetic stage may simply stay that way, a sleeper.

This might explain why so many people with type 2 diabetes remain undiagnosed until they see their doctor with a problem that is related to their diabetes.

Type 1
Unlike Type 2 diabetes where diabetes management medication may be avoided, or reduced over time, diabetes management medication is a must.This does not detract from the common diabetic need for exercise and diet.

Type 1 diabetes usually starts very early in childhood or young adulthood, definitely, in most cases, before the age of 40, and is caused by a severe lack of insulin. As a result, Type I diabetics must take insulin because their body does not produce it properly.This is because the immune system has mistakenly turned on itself, destroying beta cells within the pancreas and removing the body’s ability to produce insulin.

Just as there are fears in Type 2 diabetes resulting from full blown obesity culture, children as early as three years old are being diagnosed, in increasing numbers, with Type 1 diabetes. it certainly cannot be due to infection or contamination because Type 1 diabetes is not contagious like a cold or chickenpox. Children cannot catch it from one another.

Meal planning and regular exercise that aid weight loss and general health,  diabetes medications, blood glucose monitoring, stress prevention, are helpful steps towards avoiding acute and chronic complications like unhealthy high blood sugar or dangerously low blood sugar.

There is nothing that says that you cannot live a long life with either type of diabetes. People live comfortably all over the world for years, up to 90 years and above in many cases. Just eat healthy, exercise, take your medicine as prescribed, monitor your blood sugar, as advised by your physician, and pay your periodic visits to health advisers (eye, foot, teeth, diet etc.,), associated with your disease.
it’s not that difficlut.

Tips on getting a good grip on controlling your weight, a major factor in diabetes health management programs.

Diabetes weight management is a must, as part of your diabetes management system. You can treat and control your diabetes  or that of a loved one, more successfully, if you consider weight reduction in particular, as a major player in the equation.

Weight and diabetes are unpleasant twins that make it difficult for  your body process to fulfill its role of searching for its beneficial requirements from nature and disposing of its wastes in as optimum level of performance as possible. Weight loss should be  under your constant searchlight  because the excess weight of your body, resulting from excess fat, causes insulin  to lose its efficiency levels.

With weight loss  through sensible dieting and physical activity, you can  greatly enhance the ability of your body to use insulin to process glucose, thereby either lessening the impact of diabetes,slowing down its development., but most importantly, minimizing its negative impact on your efficient functioning.

In some cases, good weight control may even make the use of medication unnecessary,even though they still have diabetes.

We cannot overstate the importance of lifestyle change, through low fat diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Weight loss through non-sugary, non-fat, fiber rich diet and consistent physical exercise, are imperatives in the treatment of diabetes.

An additional factor is the close relationship between weight and blood pressure. To keep your blood pressure stable, you want to keep a  constant eye on your weight. It’s as simple as that. Of course there other things you want to do, like stopping smoking, reducing alcohol consumption and other health enhancing behaviors, but an eye on the weight,  is still a good bet.

There are thousands of fad diets these days with many actually sending you prepared meals through the mail–at a hefty price, of course. While we shall not go as far as that, we can recommend  that you be on the look-out for diet with low glycemic index, which should form the core of your weight loss strategy, allowing you to enjoy general good health, because they make possible slow absorption of sugar into your blood stream.

If you follow this up with regular moderate exercise, like three to five times a week of thirty minute cardio among others, you can conduct your daily activities in good health, avoid  heart trouble, helping you stay on track, and lose, sometimes, up to ten percent of your current body weight.

You want to read the report of the American Diabetes Association on this.  Analysis of their data reveals the fact that changes in diet and physical activity leading to weight loss not only reduce diabetes risk but also the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure. By accelerating the metabolic process, they give your body the optimum functioning level for normal daily activities with a clearer mind inside a calm body.

Being overweight is a factor many diabetics have to deal with. It’s a constant battle, as they fight all those pounds that creep up over time. In fact, progressive weight gain is one of the early indication of diabetes. You must not underestimate the importance of weight control and physical exercises for personal wellness and good health.

Like it or not, diabetes is a category of diseases. It  requires changes in lifestyles. A major part of this new lifestyle is having a diabetes weight management system that has weight loss, or prevention of weight gain, at its target. This involves food management  strategies that trap sugar and fat and stop then from messing up the weight monitoring program, general health and destroying the effects of physical exercise..

Diabetes care as the business of the diabetic

Diabetes  care, as far as diabetes management is concerned, is, almost hundred percent of the time, the responsibility of the patient and his family. Your doctor is not solely responsible, neither is he the primary caregiver, monitor nor the guardian angel, for your diabetes management system.

You are. If you don’t do your major share. You die, not him or her.

He can give you prescription, ask you questions about your diabetes management care activities, but telling him the truth about how well you have done with the management advise he gives you, that is your job.

Telling him stories, fables or lies about how you’ve followed instructions on your diabetes management will only result in ‘storied’ remedies. Not everything is apparent to a doctor, at a visit.  So, he needs help from you to help you. This advice ranges from issues concerning sugar level or  levels of glucose in your blood stream at various times. It can be advice on how you are monitoring your weight, types of meal or other diet or foods issues, You will discuss the months you last had this test or this test. How about your exercise regime to improve your health, lose weight and increase metabolism, among others? The list does on and on, depending on your particular circumstances.

The relationship between you, the diabetic, and your doctor, is one where you play both the role of educator and student. You are to educate your doctor on  your compliance with your medication, the complications you notice. He will educate you on which of your treatment  medicine must go on and  cannot be avoided, If he can switch you from others, he will. He has no interest in a medicine contra-indications causing new problems.

Everything has to be measured with the current state of your illness or any new sympthoms  in mind You must remember that diabetes management care is not an easy once and for all care, but a continuous effort because you are dealing with a degenerative illness with many possible complications. You have to accept that your life has changed and you have to manage it more consciously than before

So, when you visit your doctor, be ready to let him know exactly where you are with your overall diabetes management efforts, including taking medications that are meant to monitor your blood sugar levels, and glycemic index, maintaining physical activity like regular cardiovascular (swimming is great too) and possibly some weight lifting exercises, monitoring your blood glucose levels,  adhering to diabetic dietary requirements, and how you have followed referrals to absolutely necessary services like your eye doctor  (opthalmologist), your foot doctor (podiatrist), and other healthcare team members with whom you interact.

This is the time to talk to your doctor, and frankly too. He too knows how difficult it is to take care of diabetes on a daily basis and there is no need to hide from him any experience you may have had since your last visit.

Sometimes, what you have to do may conflict with your dietary habits handed down through generations of  Grandma’s recipes. Changing your diet as a result of your diabetic disease could even conflict with your religious beliefs. Thankfully, many religious leaders are more enlightened these days. Talk with your priest or Imam  and they may may absolve you of resposibilities. After all, you never asked ro a diabetic jewelry when you were comimg into the world.

Yes, there will be adjustment problems. Beliefs, values, and practices that might affect diabetic care and behaviors may have to be jettisoned. Families may have to adjust too to reorganize family lifestyle to accommodate your diabetes  All these changes take time. But so is your consistency with your exercise program etc. etc. The issue is do you want to get well  and be up and runnning with your life. If so, then things, habits, tradition, beliefs, values etc.,  have to give way for you to enjoy a health at its optimum.

Sometimes, it’s the young ones that have this problem. The earlier we get them to take responsibility for their disease, the better for them. they have to know what to do and what not to do. Food choices whenn you are not around, avoidance of sugar laden and sweet drenched goodies is a major factor for children. they need to know the implications of self-indulgence that might kick their sugar level into the stratosphere.They must also have, and this is very important, a strictly followed time table for their meals

While it is important to get views and opinion and share information with peers and groups with diabetes, you want to be careful with proponents of alternative medicine. Many of them have no idea what they are talking about. Never act out of respect for an opinion giver. Always cross check information with your health-care professionals and your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment.

You must remember that every aspect of diabetes management must be carefully monitored and supervised by thoroughly trained  Health Care givers, especially your Physician. Avoid voodoo solution or some maverick strategy.

The reality of diabetes  management care is that you are more exposed to infections than the average guy.You  need to avoid cuts to  your feet, as small cuts or wounds affect foot health affecting circulation to the feet, resulting in  serious infections.

Yes, diabetes care is, often, an unavoidable nuisance. However, nothing says you cannot continue to live your life or help your diabetic family members to live their lives. It all has to do with sensible and smart diabetes care management system

Normal blood glucose level, is what you want to target in your diabetes management

Consistent normal blood glucose level , by monitoring your blood glucose levels, is pivotal to your health as a diabetic. A Diabetes Management  System to achieve acceptable and normal blood glucose levels should aim, through a variety of action, to track and contain your blood glucose
.  Hence a diabetes management
blood glucose monitoring goes beyond the obvious and tries to engage the totality of the diabetic through  a daily
cocktail of sensible activities that prime nutritious food intake
with low carbs, low fat diet with a strong fiber content, inviting support
of families and health care services, managing weight through a fitness program,
taking your medication, and more importantly, keeping an eye on your
blood glucose levels
.
In other words, a diabetes management  system involves a holistic approach that produces a much better result, than relying only on clinically reductibles like prescribed medication. Much more is gained by making diabetes management a  lifestyle issue, engaging the patient in the management of his problem. When yo aim at the total domination of problems involved in your  diabetes, you can really continue to enjoy a  healthy life. Rather than be a passive patient, the diabetic becomes a participant and a patient well educated in his illness, and wise in the application of this knowledge.

From the hair on his head, to his eyes, his weight, his limbs, among others, the diabetic needs to understand and have adequate information about what could happen if he does not grab hold of, learn and control, very early in his diabetic state,the complex and, sometimes, difficult choices, related to living as optimally as possible.

Apart from the periodic monitoring by his doctors, or his nutritionist, if any, and other service providers like opthamologist, podiatry etc., the diabetic has to learn to live intelligently on a day-to-day basis. Some web based site or pharmacy based sites ask to act as your diabetes management system guide. Very often however, you are perfectly qualified to  be your own boss

To do this, however,  you have to forgo what the crowd around you wants, and have the inner strength to withstand following other people’s lifestyle preferences, be it at the restaurant or in the bar. If you are lucky, you might be able to recruit your family into your care and support, as part of your diabetes managemet team, and they will, in most cases,  make allowances for you. In fact, very often, your responsible family will insist (mine does)  that you do what is right. After all, they might understand the price they will pay if anything serious, like a sudden heart attack, happens to you, especially if you are the bread winner. They can remind you of your blood sugar  management, ensuring you take your accu-check blood glucose meter reading software with you on family trips, acting as yout health care diabetes assitannt for major life enhancing events like your insulin ingestion  or, in case of diabetes type-1, insulin injection

Simply put, diabetes management system is not a once in a while issue but a program of action that engages you and those around you in  various aspects of your daily life, sometimes including your work place, on a continuous basis.

Parents need to monitor reasonably adult children, spouses and siblings need to monitor whoever has diabetes,  so do close friends. For example, sometime ago, I got fed up pinching my fingers for early morning glucose level test. Somehow the family suspected and held a meeting behind my back. Before I knew it, I was down in the freezer. I had to claw my way back to regain their trust. In the past,  I would have been mad at their interference in my ‘personal affairs’. This time they assured me that I had no personal affairs, I was their personal affairs since I pay the bills.  Anyway, after sulking a little, I had to come back to my senses. In fact, they designated my youngest child to bring me my testing package every morning, and stand there until I did it. What humiliation!! I guess I deserved it.

While a diabetes management system may seem mondain and not something to create a temple around, you have to understand that without obeying this ritual religiously, you may miss the main point of this, which is to prevent, starting early, serious long-term complications arising from either too high or two low blood sugar since, the cornerstone of diabetes management is keeping your blood sugar as regular, and within healthy levels, as possible. Measuring blood sugar on a regular basis, controlling blood glucose levels through diet and exercise, are critical contributors to a healthier life for a diabetic.

That is why the goal of a diabetes management system is really about diabetes management planning towards better nutrition, more active metabolic rates of the body system, and by monitoring levels of blood glucose, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol as close to the normal range as safely possible, preventing kidney failure, serious untreatable infection, hypertension, heart attack, any other cardiovascular complications, and need to remove infected limbs like amputations.

Managing diabetes successfully helps to achieve a major milestone in your healthy living desire, if it succeeds in keeping a tight control on blood glucose levels to be as close to the normal range as possible, and preventing unfortunate consequences of failure to manage as advised.

Diet for diabetes in diabetes management program

A diabetic diet  program is a major part of your diabetes diets management system, and is  a first step in dealing with any denial that your condition would involve a thorough review of your dietary habits.

A diabetic diets program is telling you that gone are those loving thoughts of satisfying your natural palates. That  pre-diabetes diet tradition,  those eating habits,  belong to a different age, an age where you walk miles without feeling it, where you work the farm and chase the goats and horses. Those ages … Grandma used to cook stuffs, loaded with all sorts of succulent and sugary delights. Grandma gave you energy to burn and you had the fields to deploy the energy.

Those days, my dear, are gone. We are children of a different age, an age of sedentary lifestyles, spread before the TV, caressing our remote control, air-conditioned cars. Those days when we, willingly, sweated, and nicely too, those days of doings,  of yore,  are done.

Today, sugar and fat have nowhere to go except around our waists. They have come to stay as a dietary program for the idiotic majority.

We are in the age of the high-fat, high-sugar diets,  a millstone strung around our neck, our waist and belly, by the food industries.

It gets tougher and tougher to get children to eat proper and healthy diet, a diet that is in tune with their new environment,  a civilization where, more and more, sweat and energy are treated with a hand on the nose.

So what do you do when you’ve got diabetes with all these? Well, it’s simple, you just cannot afford to join the lazy, fattening crowd. You do this, it’s a certain death, somewhere along the line, and that’s after a lot of trials and tribulation, pain and suffering.

Why?  Because diabetes relates to your blood and the amount of sugar it can process. Sugar converts to energy in the cells of your body. Diabetes is, unfortunately, an enemy of a product that the body needs to process this sugar to give it the energy to function, and that product is insulin. If the body cannot burn sugar, it becomes toxic to your blood, the fat too cannot burn, it becomes your heart killing weapon, as you gain weight and your nutritional highs will continue to depend, more and more, on sugar breeding carbohydrates and cholesterol laden fatty foods.

In other words, you, certainly, do not want to be a member of the fat and sugar society.

Am I frightening you?

Good.

Sorry, but there is no two way to tell you that, to function, even minimally,  you have to have a dietary program that cuts out the fat and the sugars, at the very least.

To move from this minimal existence to something like an enjoyable life, you will then need to get out of the sedentary lifestyle around you and get your body system working with a strict, consistently followed,  exercise regime.

Research has shown that an important aspect of treatment in Type 2 diabetes is lifestyle change – weight loss, exercise and a low fat diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Even if you still have to take medication, you cannot afford to compromise with the pressing need for a healthy, metabolism-driven dietary program.   Remember that wihout these changes, you will be faced not just with diabetes, but also with the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure. With proper care and disciplined diet, like whole grains, vegetables, fish or turkey without the skin, fruits, lean meats,  and cheese, low-fat or skim milk, lots of digestive fiber, moderate salt, preferably non sugary desserts, and of course, plenty of water, you can keep most of the unwelcome consequences of diabetes at bay.

The goal is to aim for low glycemic index diet status. The American Diabetes Association has, on their site, diet plans that  you might want to try. You will learn about cholesterol control, low-fat meal planning and exercise, all of which should help you develop healthy eating habits to stay in shape and attain best general health and well being.

Usually, especially with adult onset of type-2 diabetes, diet and exercise may not be enough, and you need to remember these few cardinal elements of  a properly controlled diabetic condition.

Firstly you need to give up smoking, keep sugary alcohol  away. Tough, but there is not much to say. No way other way to say it. Secondly, be on the lookout for your bodily extremities, feet, fingers  for sores or lacerations, and once you see an that gives you concern call your health care provider immediately. Don’t wait for them to become gangrenous. Make sure you visit your podiatry at least every quarter. Keep your teeth clean and your feet clean and warm.

A monthly visit to your HCP, if you can afford it, is an important component of your diabetes management system. Do this,just to keep your mind at peace. Keeping to medical advice, and keeping a check on your blood glucose levels are rituals that must not be missed.

Whatever you do, please watch your diet, and do the right thing for yourself as part of your diabetes diet management system. It becomes more fun if you can get your family involved in your exercise ( at least three 30-minute good sweat for cardio and strength, a week). I have found out that swimming long distances too do wonders for all the muscles, and make you happily hungry for good clean dietary stuffs.

Another good thing with exercise is that, once you are into it, your body starts to say No to many things that are harmful to healthy diet, fitness and weight loss efforts.The rejection of sugary and fatty stuff just comes naturally. Many times, you even do not want to smoke anymore. it’s like your psyche gaining control and knowing that you need your lungs to do what you want to do….run well. carry more weight, swim more distance…faster.

In short, you want to enjoy life by endorsing a good diabetes diets management program.

Have a great diabetic dietary program!