General Management Of Diabetic Patients
These consist of:
Education: Education of patients with either prediabetes or diabetes should include the following content areas that are based on assessed needs: disease process treatment option nutritional plan exercise plan knowledge of diabetes medicine prescribed blood glucose monitoring knowledge of acute and chronic complications psychosocial issues and individual strategies to promote health .
Medical nutrition therapy: Calculation of diet is based on ideal body weight multiplied by 10 to establish a basic kilojoule requirement, plus 30% to 100% added for physical activity. The diet should include 50% to 55% carbohydrate, 30% fat , as well as fiber. It is important to remember that both portion control in the management of diet and daily exercise play very important roles in maintaining ideal body weight.
Physical activity: Sedentary lifestyle is a powerful but modifiable risk factor for T2DM therefore, moderate exercise is of utmost benefit in patients with diabetes.
Oral hypoglycemic agents: summarizes presently available oral agents and major mechanisms of action. A more detailed treatment of this subject is presented in Section 10.
They Are Low In Sugar
Golden berries are low in added sugar and glycemic load. They are also low in calories. On the glycemic index , they are rated at 35. This is considered to be a low glycemic index.
This means that they do not quickly boost your blood sugar levels and can lower insulin resistance by preventing blood sugar spikes. This helps to maintain proper insulin sensitivity.
Although you may want to limit your fruit sugar consumption, golden berries may be a good fruit choice for glucose regulation.
These qualities make golden berries great fruits to eat for weight loss and to prevent obesity. They are also a great choice for patients with type 2 diabetes. The antioxidant properties of golden berries also help them to do the following:
- Improve heart health and prevent heart disease and cardiovascular disease
- Improve liver health
- Diabetes prevention
Ways To Better Control Your Type 2 Diabetes
After receiving a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, it might feel like you have no say over whats happening to your health. But thats not true. Theres so much that people can do to be in control of their diabetes, Eve Bloomgarden, M.D., an assistant professor of endocrinology at Northwestern Medicine, tells SELF.
Of course, every case of diabetes is different. But in general, experts say there are a few things people with type 2 diabetes can do to better manage this condition. Here are eight steps to consider.
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Tips For Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
While you cant always prevent type 2 diabetes, there are a few lifestyle tweaks can help delay, or even prevent, the onset. This is true even if you have increased risk factors like prediabetes.
- Diet. The best kind of diet to prevent type 2 diabetes is a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy carbs, healthy fats, and very little refined sugar.
- Exercise. According to the
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Why Take Care Of Your Diabetes
Taking care of yourself and your diabetes can help you feel good today and in the future. When your blood sugar is close to normal, you are likely to:
- have more energy
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Ask your health care team what type of diabetes you have.
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Learn where you can go for support.
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Learn how caring for your diabetes helps you feel good today and in the future.
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Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes
In type 2 diabetes, your body isnt able to effectively use insulin to bring glucose into your cells. This causes your body to rely on alternative energy sources in your tissues, muscles, and organs. This is a chain reaction that can cause a variety of symptoms.
Type 2 diabetes can develop slowly. The symptoms may be mild and easy to dismiss at first. The early symptoms may include:
Management Of Blood Glucose Levels
Insulin resistance, decreased insulin secretion, and increased hepatic glucose output are the hallmarks of type 2 diabetes. Medications target one or more of these defects .1113 Average absolute reductions in A1C for each class of medication range from 0.5 to 1.0 percent for exenatide , pramlintide , and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors to 1 to 2.5 percent for sulfonylureas and metformin.14 Reviews have reported that mono-therapy with any oral hypoglycemic agent is superior to dietary management or placebo in reducing A1C values, but the studies are so heterogeneous that the expected A1C reduction attributed to any class of medication should be interpreted with caution.15,16 For example, six trials that evaluated sulfonylureas for an average of 16 weeks reported mean A1C reductions of 1.8 percent ,15 whereas the 10-year United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study reported an A1C reduction of 0.9 percent with sulfonylureas.3 This suggests that short-term studies may not accurately reflect long-term results. It is also critical to remember that the goal of treatment is not only to reduce A1C levels, but also to prevent premature mortality and morbidity. Not all agents have been proven to achieve this goal.
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Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Reversed
Type 2 diabetes can be a life-long, chronic disease in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or the cells in out body doesnt respond to insulin correctly. Because of these two problems, there isnt enough insulin to move the glucose from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, the bodys cells cant function properly.
Type 2 diabetes is more likely to occur in people who are over the age of 40, overweight, or have a family history in diabetes. Certain ethnic and racial groups also have higher risk for type 2 diabetes, including black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American and Pacific Islander. However, over the past decade the incidence of type2 diabetes has been increasing in adolescents and the young adult population.
According to recent research, type 2 diabetes cannot be cured, but individuals can have glucose levels that return to non-diabetes range, or pre-diabetes glucose level The primary means by which people with type 2 diabetes achieve remission is by losing significant amounts of weight.
We talk of remission and not a cure because it isnt permanent. The beta cells have been damaged and the underlying genetic factors contributing to the persons susceptibility to diabetes remain intact. Over time the disease process reasserts itself and continued destruction of the beta cells ensues. An environmental insult such as weight gain can bring back the symptomatic glucose intolerance.
Which Diets Are Recommended For Diabetes
Nutritional management is an important part of life for people with diabetes.
If you have type 1 diabetes, work with your doctor to identify how much insulin you may need to inject after eating certain types of food.
For example, carbohydrates can cause blood sugar levels to quickly increase in people with type 1 diabetes. Youll need to counteract this by taking insulin, but youll need to know how much insulin to take. Learn more about type 1 diabetes and diet.
People with type 2 diabetes need to focus on healthy eating. Weight loss is often a part of type 2 diabetes treatment plans, so your doctor may recommend a low-calorie meal plan. This could mean reducing your consumption of animal fats and junk food.
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Get Out In The Garden
Gardening is a lot of physical activity, whether youre digging, pulling weeds, turning the compost, lifting big bags of mulch, or pushing a lawn mower. Being outside in the sunshine also gives you a boost of vitamin D, which is important for healthy bones and teeth. Take the added step of growing your own vegetables and herbs in your garden its fun, rewarding, and so beneficial for your diet. Consider trying Earth Boxes to get started if youre a novice.
How Does Diabetes Affect The Body
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.
Both types of diabetes are chronic diseases that affect the way your body regulates blood sugar, or glucose. Glucose is the fuel that feeds your bodys cells, but to enter your cells it needs a key. Insulin is that key.
People with type 1 diabetes dont produce insulin. You can think of it as not having a key.
People with type 2 diabetes dont respond to insulin as well as they should and later in the disease often dont make enough insulin. You can think of it as having a broken key.
People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes may also experience irritability, mood changes, and unintentional weight loss.
People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes may also have numbness and tingling in their hands or feet. Good glucose management significantly reduces the risk of developing numbness and tingling in someone with type 1 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association .
Although many of the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar, they present in very different ways.
Many people with type 2 diabetes wont have symptoms for many years, and their symptoms often develop slowly over the course of time. Some people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms at all and dont discover they have the condition until complications arise.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes may have similar names, but theyre different diseases with unique causes.
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How To Learn More About Diabetes
- Take classes to learn more about living with diabetes. To find a class, check with your health care team, hospital, or area health clinic. You can also search online.
- Join a support group in-person or online to get peer support with managing your diabetes.
- Read about diabetes online. Go toNational Diabetes Education Program.
When To See A Doctor
If you have diabetes, make an appointment to see an eye care specialist such as an ophthalmologist at least once a year, or as often as your doctor recommends.
You should also see your doctor if your glucose level remains high despite medication and other changes, or if you notice any changes in vision, even if they are subtle.
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Tips For Living With Type 2 Diabetes
Learning you have Type 2 diabetes can be scary and stressful, but there are plenty of ways to manage this diagnosis that can mitigate the dangers to your health.
First, it is important to work closely with your healthcare providers and learn the steps you need to take to keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels under control. One of the first steps is developing a diabetes treatment plan. Here tips to incorporate that will help you manage and live with Type 2 diabetes:
Foods And Beverages To Limit
If youve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, or even if youre trying to avoid diabetes and manage your weight, there are certain foods and beverages that you should limit if possible. These include:
- foods heavy in saturated or trans fats
- refined baked goods
- high-sugar, highly processed snacks
- sugary drinks
While no one food, enjoyed every so often, should knock you off your healthy path, its a good idea to talk with your doctor about dietary restrictions based on your blood sugar levels. Some people may need to monitor their glucose more carefully than others after eating these foods.
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See Your Doctor Regularly
Ask your doctor how often you should see them, then stick with those appointments. Its important for anyone to have a good relationship with their doctor, see them regularly, and feel comfortable asking questions, Dr. Bloomgarden says. Thats especially key with a chronic condition like diabetes.
Dont feel guilty if your blood sugar isnt in control, Dr. Bloomgarden says. Diabetes is a hard disease to have and control. Just make sure youre comfortable with your doctor and that you show up.
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Diet And Other Lifestyle Changes
Your doctor or dietitian will help you plan a special diet that is easy on your kidneys. These diets are more restrictive than a standard diet for people with diabetes. Your doctor may recommend:
- limiting protein intake
- consuming healthy fats, but limiting consumption of oils and saturated fatty acids
- reducing sodium intake to 1,500 to 2,000 mg/dL or less
- limiting potassium consumption, which could include reducing or restricting your intake of high potassium foods like bananas, avocados, and spinach
- limiting consumption of foods high in phosphorus, such as yogurt, milk, and processed meats
Your doctor can help you develop a customized diet plan. You can also work with a dietitian to help you better understand how to best balance the foods you eat.
Your doctor may also recommend an exercise plan for you to help keep your blood pressure low and your kidneys healthy.
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Consume Coconut Oil Every Day
While some fats are unhealthy, coconut oil is a very healthy fat. In fact, it is one of the healthiest you can find. Instead of requiring insulin to break it down, coconut oil is able to enter your cells on its own. This allows it to be used up as energy quickly and automatically, which aids in weight loss, as well.
You can consume coconut oil in meals, drinks, or even just plain. It is very versatile, so you can experiment with different ways of using it.
What Should A Type 2 Diabetes Meal Plan Include
Ask your healthcare provider or a nutritionist to recommend a meal plan thats right for you. In general, a Type 2 diabetes meal plans should include:
- Lean proteins: Proteins low in saturated fats include chicken, eggs and seafood. Plant-based proteins include tofu, nuts and beans.
- Minimally processed carbohydrates: Refined carbs like white bread, pasta and potatoes can cause your blood sugar to increase quickly. Choose carbs that cause a more gradual blood sugar increase such as whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice and whole-grain pasta.
- No added salt: Too much sodium, or salt, can increase your blood pressure. Lower your sodium by avoiding processed foods like those that come in cans or packages. Choose salt-free spices and use healthy oils instead of salad dressing.
- No added sugars: Avoid sugary foods and drinks, such as pies, cakes and soda. Choose water or unsweetened tea to drink.
- Non-starchy vegetables: These vegetables are lower in carbohydrates, so they dont cause blood sugar spikes. Examples include broccoli, carrots and cauliflower.
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Different Types Of Diabetes
The three most frequently seen types of diabetes are type 1, type 2. and gestational diabetes.
Knowing how to control diabetes starts with understanding the type of diabetes you have and any other health conditions that may affect your diabetes care plan. The treatment regimen for controlling each type of diabetes is slightly different, but all focus on balancing meals, medication and/or insulin, and physical activity since each of these influence blood sugar levels.
Lower Your Risk Of Diabetes Starting At Home
Medications of different types work for different people. As a kid, I never wanted to take medicine as Im sure most kids didnt. We had to do what our parents felt was necessary to be healthy. So we had to swallow many things that didnt taste good.
When I was growing up, we didnt have the internet, tablets, cell phones and video games that are available now. Our playground was outside. Mom used to tell us to go out and play. I got plenty of exercise then. Theres no excuses though for not exercising from then until now.
Everyone knows that exercise is good for us. You have to make the decision to engage in some form of exercise to say healthy. Its all about your mindset. If you really want to make a change, then theres a great deal of home remedies and supplements that can help.
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Focus On Moderate Weight Loss
One of the reasons people develop diabetes is because of excess weight. When you are overweight or obese, your body is unable to move sugar from your blood to your cells to use for energy because your cells become resistant to insulin.
Insulin is the hormone that acts as the “gatekeeper.” It is what allows sugar into a cell. When your cells are resistant to insulin, the sugar cannot go into the cell and, instead, stays in your bloodstream.
You can help to reduce your blood sugars by losing about 5% to 10% of your body weight.
Find Ways To Lower Your Stress Levels
High-stress levels can cause an abnormal increase or decrease in blood sugar levels. By lowering your stress level you are not only providing your body with the opportunity to regulate your blood sugar, but you may also be able to sleep better at night. Since getting more sleep has lessened the effects of diabetes, this method is helping in more than one way.
The key to lowering your stress levels is to figure out what is causing the stress to begin with, and then figure out how to erase the problem. That may be easier said than done, but sometimes it is as simple as doing something you love or writing out what is on your mind. There are many other ways to ease stress, as well, and self-care may be the most important step.
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