Diabetes: Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Diabetes is dangerous not only because blood contains high amounts of sugar, but because of its other consequences such as making the patients vulnerable to many other diseases. A diabetic patient experiences excess-thirst, waking up at dawn, lethargy, shakiness, etc. There is a fear of 'wounds not healing fast'. While fighting with the above symptoms, prevention of other complications is quite important. Hence, controlling Diabetes through the proper implementation of adequate diet, exercise, and stress reduction is must.

There are many risk factors associated with Diabetes. Though it is known that the onset of the disease is due to low insulin, many other factors like obesity and overweight, inactive lifestyle, family history of the condition, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels contribute to this deadly disease. There is no 100% cure for this disease; it can only be controlled via treatment and monitored through various gluco-check devices readily available in the market.

A proper diet with healthy lifestyle is the most effective way for a diabetic patient to control the risks and prevent other diseases. Regular check-up with the physician and implementation of medical therapy can help monitor the health progress of the patient.

Medical check-ups are also important for family members who have a family history of Diabetes or a member suffering with the condition, to check for their health condition with a consideration for Diabetes. Irrespective of the condition, the members should be careful and follow a healthy diet and exercise as they may be prone to the disease. As they rightly say, "Prevention is better than cure."

Diabetes In Pregnancy And In Later Life - Facts and Prevention

Pregnancy is not an easy time for the diabetic patient. It puts greater stress on the prospective mother's diabetic condition and increases risk for the baby. Fortunately, these facts are now well recognized by obstetrician and by physicians who care for diabetics. The key to prevention of many complications during pregnancy lies in close co-operation between obstetrician and other physician and the pregnant woman. She may need very frequent visits to the doctors to regulate insulin dosage. Insulin requirements change during pregnancy.

Babies of diabetic mothers are at higher risk than other babies are. Usually, a pregnant diabetic will have to be admitted to the hospital several weeks before the expected delivery time so her diabetes can be kept under rigid control before delivery and the decision can be made about possible need for delivery by cesarean section. After delivery, the mother needs to be watched carefully for changing insulin requirement. Babies born of diabetic mothers have tended to have more congenital defects than those of non-diabetic mothers. This may be the result of inadequate control of the diabetes in the early months of pregnancy. It is another reason why a prospective diabetic mother should notify her doctor the mother suspects she may be pregnant. Then she should work out a clear arrangement: will he or the obstetrician take the responsibility for control of the diabetes throughout the pregnancy?

Later life diabetes
Maturity-onset diabetes, which most commonly sets in at age 50 or later, though it may occur earlier, is generally less severe than juvenile diabetes, and rarely leads to acidosis. The symptoms are the same for both types. Maturity-onset diabetes often controlled without medication. The doctor usually will try, unless the case is very severe, to treat the patient with low-sugar diet. He will also try to bring weight down to normal or even somewhat below the accepted normal. If diet and weight reduction do not have the desired effect on symptoms and blood and urinary sugar, the doctor then will generally prescribe one of the oral hypoglycemic medicines rather than insulin.

Medicines taken by mouth are not usually effective in replacing insulin in younger diabetics but do work well in maturity- onset diabetes. Sometimes oral agents supplemented with small amounts of insulin. As the population lives longer, more and more people develop maturity-onset diabetes, from which the main threat is atherosclerosis. For the prevention, the diabetic, we think, would do well to keep his weight down to normal levels, get regular exercise, and emphasize foods containing unsaturated fatty acids and low in cholesterol, avoid cigarette smoking, reduce emotional tensions, and make sure blood pressure is normal.

Diabetes Prevention - Simple Lifestyle Changes to Keep a Healthy Blood Glucose Level

Diabetes is a disease where the blood sugar level goes up. There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce insulin. In Type 2 diabetes the body does not produce sufficient insulin or the insulin is not properly used by the cell to digest the sugar in the blood. However, prevention is possible with slight changes in lifestyle and the blood glucose level can be brought down to normal with simple good habits of living. Exercise and other lifestyle choice can have a positive effect on diabetes. Many people with type 2 diabetes also suffer from prediabetes which means that they have a high chance of developing it within the next few years.

Obesity is a risk factor leading to diabetes.

If one is overweight even if you try to reduce by a few kgs, it might reduce the risk to half and prevent diabetes. The person must follow a diet which is low in calorie and fat. Obese people must eat more of fruits and vegetables which can cut the risk by 22% according to a study. Cutting down on high sugar drinks is a must as this simple innocent habit increase the risk by more than 25%.

Simple changes in lifestyle to prevent diabetes

The simplest thing would be to get at least 30 minutes exercise every day so that you can achieve a lower weight as exercise has a great beneficial effect on insulin levels and consequently blood sugar levels. TV watching can be reduced as 'couch potatoes' are more at risk of having diabetes. Sitting on the sofa to enjoy the latest sitcom is not active at all and people tends to snack as well. Instead one could go out for a walk or do a dance or just play around with the children or grandchildren.

Diabetes prevention for high risk groups

People with a history of diabetes in the family, or a gestational diabetes baby, an overweight baby, persons with high blood pressure or those with a history of heart problems are at increased risk and must definitely make simple lifestyle changes in order to prevent diabetes. If one has been diagnosed for prediabetes, it is a clear warning that action must be taken soon. If you have a fasting blood sugar level of 126, it means you have diabetes. Others have less than 100 which is normal. Those who are in between have prediabetes and are at risk. The most recommended way in this case could be doing some simple exercises like walking thirty minutes daily. Even a 5 % weight reduction can drastically reduce diabetes risk and act as a preventive measure.

Simple Tests that can be taken to prevent diabetes

Additionally, one can take tests such as fasting plasma glucose test on an empty stomach or an oral glucose tolerance test which compares the blood taken on fasting with blood after a sugary drink has been given to you. This could be the first step for preventing type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion

Diabetes results when the blood sugar level goes up due to lack of insulin for improper insulin functioning. However, the good news is that it can be cured with simple lifestyle changes and by leading a healthy life.

Gestational Diabetes Management and Prevention Guide

A type of diabetes whereby the blood sugar level of a woman goes up when she is pregnant but comes back to normal after delivery is called Gestational Diabetes. Medicines alone are not enough for curing gestational diabetes. One must care for oneself as well as one's baby with the help of advice from the nurse, diabetes, a qualified dietitian, and any other professional health care advisers. With the required information, one can have a successful and healthy baby. Food and proper exercise can have curative effect on the blood sugar level and help to protect one from gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes can make the baby too large which causes delivery problems and the baby may have low blood sugar. But it can be cured and controlled with proper treatment to give birth to a healthy baby.

Home Treatment for gestational diabetes

Once a person has gestational diabetes there is every chance that the mother may develop it again at a future date with a risk for type 2 diabetes. The mother must take care to keep a healthy weight without becoming overweight. The mother has to avoid any form of medication that has resistance against insulin. Birth control pills such as progestin-only should be avoided as this increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Consulting your doctor is important to decide on a suitable type of contraception method. All pregnant women must take prenatal vitamins. On the other hand, it is important not to take too much vitamins as it is counter effective as well.

Additional steps that women can take

Many women with gestational diabetes however do give birth to normal babies. The blood sugar has to be controlled first. The mother need not eat any new or special foods. The amount of food that you eat must be changed and the timings of the meals need to be altered too. The mother need not join any costly gym or do any fancy exercises. Walking alone provides the necessary mild exercise.

How to protect the baby

The baby which is born from a mother who has gestational diabetes undergoes a high risk of being overweight and the baby too can develop type 2 diabetes. The best option for the mother is to breast feed the baby as this will reduce the chances of the baby becoming overweight. Eating healthy food and exercising regularly is a must as the baby gets older to prevent type 2 diabetes. Fetal growth must be monitored often and one must keep count of the kicks. Fetal ultrasounds and nonstress tests can also be taken to see that the weight of the baby is not above normal.

Balanced diet and exercise

Carbohydrate intake must be reduced. One must write down all that one eats and keep a check of one's weight. At least 2 hours must be devoted to exercise. Moderated exercise makes insulin more effective in controlling blood sugar level. The pregnant mother may even join special exercise classes specially formulated for such groups. A home blood sugar test must be done which help to give you peace of mind.

Conclusion

The best way to treat gestational diabetes is to change the way you eat and to exercise regularly. In spite of all these changes if the diabetes still persists one may have to receive insulin shots. This will help in reducing the blood sugar level and protecting the baby concurrently.