FAQ.....FAQ DIABETES

If you, a family or a friend has diabetes, you know there is a lot to learn about how to manage it successfully. You also know that lifestyle is important. Of course making healthy food choices and being physically active is a goal for everyone, but this is especially true for individuals who have diabetes.
What is the major questions that people with diabetes answered:

WHAT IS HEALTHY EATING FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES?
Although a low-carbohydrate diet is often promoted as a popular approach to managing diabetes, research actually supports the importance of eating healthy carbohydrates containing foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat milk. A healthy diet also includes low-fat proteins sources, such as fish, poultry, lean meats or vegetable proteins. Healthy fats are also advised: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, such as olive or canola oil and nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, are good sources. A low-to moderate-fat diet, but low in saturated fats and food cholesterol is recommended.
HOW DOES HEALTHY EATING INTEGRATE INTO DIABETES MANAGEMENT?
The two types of diabetes, have different priorities for nutrition therapy. The first nutrition priority for either type of diabetes is to normalize glucose levels, but of equal concern are optimal lipid (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels and blood pressure goals. Making appropriate food choices contributes to meeting these goals. The recipes in this book are an excellent starting point. Physical activity is also of importance.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THE LIFESTYLE CHANGES I MAKE ARE HELPFUL?
The good news is that diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Research studies have shown clearly that sustained, moderate weight losses of 5 to 7 percent of an individuals starting weight and accumulating 150 minutes per week of physical activity reduce risk. However, increased use of whole grains and reducing fat,
especially saturated fat, may also improve  insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of diabetes, even without weight loss.

OVERWEIGHT AFFECT MY BLOOD SUGAR?
Yes, being overweight causes resistance to insulin, may raise your blood pressure, which makes you prone to kidney disease and stroke, overweight may also be associated with high blood fat levels, which makes you susceptible to hardening of the arteries. If you reduce your weight, your blood sugar levels and your health will improve.

HOW AFFECT THE HIGH BLOOD SUGAR IN MY FEET PAIN?
More than you think, especially if you have had high blood sugar for many years and the pain has lasted for several months. Nerves work better when they are surrounded by normal rather than high blood sugar. Some people find the pain in their feet and legs will decrease when their blood sugar is brought closer to normal. Others find it painful for bed sheets to touch their feet. If you experience this, placing a hoop over the end of the bed so that the sheet is kept off of your feet will provide relief until levels can be low.

WHAT'S THE SYMPTOMS OF HIGH BLOOD SUGAR?
May vary from person  to person. Feel more than usual hungry or thirsty, Feel very tired, sleepy and don't have energy. Urine more frequently than normal, have to get up al night several time to go to the bathroom.
Do not treat these symptoms with additional insulin unless you are certain that they are due to high blood sugar.

HOW HIGH BLOOD SUGAR DAMAGES MY BODY?
Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage both blood vessels and nerves in your body. This can result in poor blood flow to your hands and feet in addition to your legs, arms and vital organs, increasing infections heart problems, stroke, blindness, foot or leg amputation, kidney disease and and you can either lose the feeling in your feet or have increased pain in your feet and legs. Damage to blood vessels and nerves can lead to sexual problems that are difficult to treat. For all these reasons, you should make a major effort to avoid high blood sugars in your body.

 

REPETITIVE LOW BLOOD SUGAR DAMAGE THE ABILITY TO THINK CLEARLY?
A recent study of people with repeated moderate low blood sugar did not show a decrease in the brain's functioning. But low blood sugar levels can be dangerous, particularly if they are very low or last for a prolonged period of time. The brain uses blood sugar for energy and if it is without fuel for longer than a few minutes, it can suffer damage. For  this reason, treat low blood sugar rapidly, so that no damage occurs.

WHY KEEP STILL HIGH THIS EVENING MY BLOOD SUGAR WHEN THIS MORNING WAKEUP WITH LOW LEVELS?
When you wake up with low blood sugar, your body reacts secreting several hormones including growth hormone and cortical. These hormones may not act immediately, but after several hours, they will raise your blood sugar. Their activity may last up to 24 hours, so you may then have to take additional insulin to keep your blood sugar from going too high.
This rebound effects is one reason why you want to avoid very low blood sugar. Another reason for the high blood sugar may be that you ate too much when you tried to treat the low blood sugar reaction.

WALK IS THE BEST EXERCISE THAT DIABETIC PEOPLE NEED'S TO IMPROVE BLOOD SUGAR?
Many people are surprised to learn that walking is an excellent exercise, for that reason, exercise may make your body more sensitive to insulin, so it can help you achieve a normal body weight and normal blood sugar level. For that....Start walking today!!!

WHEN I'M SMOKING AFFECT MY GLUCOSE CONTROL?
Of course, studies have demonstrated that people who smoke have an increase resistance to insulin. This means that whatever insulin you take or secreted by your pancreas, does not work as well. Thus, getting your body glucose close to normal is much more difficult. There are actually many reasons to quit smoke.

I'M DIABETIC, CAN I DRINK ALCOHOL?
One recent study shows that moderate alcohol intake (no more than one drink a day) is associated with lower blood sugar levels and improved insulin sensitivity in healthy people who do not have diabetes. Another study shows that blood sugar levels do not differ for 12 hours after a meal between diabetes patients (both types 1 and type 2) who drink a shot of vodka before dinner or a glass of wine whit food, or a shot of cognac and those who drink an equal amount of water. Just remember that alcohol calories should be included in your meal plan.

Some Links