| Doctors distinguish two types of diabetes. Type 1 occurs when the body does not produce insulin at all. People with type 2 either lack insulin, or their cells ignore the insulin their body makes. Around 95% of people with diabetes suffer from type 2 diabetes. It is also known as "non-insulin dependent" diabetes. If untreated, diabetes can cause blindness, neurological and vascular disorders that leads to foot or leg amputation, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and death.
BE AWARE OF RISK FACTORS
You are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, if it runs in your family, or if you are African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian American or Pacific American. If the child you gave birth to weighed more than nine pounds and/or if you had gestational diabetes while you were pregnant, you are also at risk of developing diabetes. 45-year-olds and older are in the risk group, too.
If you are in the risk group, your medical practitioner may want to start regular diabetes examination. The earlier you discover you have diabetes, the more you and your physician can do to ensure you stay healthy.
CHANGES ARE TO BE DONE
You can do nothing to change your age, your ethnicity or your family history, but there are some factors you can take control of. The risk of developing diabetes also heightens, if you are fat, you do not take exercise regularly and/or you have an unhealthy diet.
If you know you are at higher risk, making appropriate choices about nutrition and physical activity can help you stay healthy. Studies have demonstrated that eating a highly nutritious diet and doing exercise can preclude or delay type 2 diabetes.
If you are overweight, keep in mind that an excessive weight gain is the single most significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. According to estimates, 80%- 90% of people with diabetes are obese. Losing weight and keeping it off can help forestall diabetes. Eat a variety of products, including those that are rich in fiber, such as whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Also, eat less.
Keep in mind that any amount of exercise is better than none. Ride an exercise bike while viewing the evening news program or your favorite series. Most of all, insure you find an activity you like, so you will do it regularly.
So, eating right and taking exercise are the keys to achieving and sustaining a healthy weight. |
