| General practitioners distinguish two types of diabetes. Type 1 is observed when the body does not make insulin at all. People suffering from type 2 diabetes either do not have a sufficient amount of insulin, or their cells ignore the insulin their body produces. About 95% of people who have diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It is also known as "adult-onset" diabetes. Left untreated, diabetes can result in blindness, nerve damage and vascular disorders that brings on foot or leg amputation, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and death.
BE WELL-AWARE OF RISK FACTORS
You are at high risk of type 2 diabetes, if members of your family had or are having it, or if you are African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian American or Pacific American. If you gave birth to a child that weighed more than nine pounds and/or if you had gestational diabetes while you were pregnant, you are also at risk of diabetes. People in their mid 40s and older are in the risk group, too.
If you have one or more the risk factors mentioned above, your physician may want to begin regular diabetes testing. The earlier you know you have diabetes, the more you and your physician can do to insure you stay healthy.
CHANGES ARE TO BE DONE
You cannot do anything to change your age, your ethnicity or your family history, but there are a few risk factors you can control. Your diabetes risk also heightens if:
• You are obese.
• You do not exercise regularly.
• You have an unhealthy diet.
If you are aware that you are at risk, making appropriate choices about what you eat and drink and physical activity can help you stay healthy. Studies have demonstrated that sticking to a healthy diet and exercising can preclude or delay type 2 diabetes.
If you are overweight, note that a large weight gain is the single most significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Between 80% and 90% of people with diabetes are corpulent. Losing weight and getting it off can help hold diabetes at bay. Consume a diversity of products, including those containing a lot of fiber. Try to get less than 30% of your daily calories from fat. Also, watch your portion.
Note that any amount of physical activity is a lot better than none. Ride an exercise bicycle while viewing the evening news program or your favorite sitcom. Most of all, make certain you find an activity are fond of, so you will stick with it.
By being aware of your risk factors and getting into the habit of eating right and exercising, you can take control of your wellness. |
