Diabetes Isn’t So Sweet
In the United States alone, diabetes plagues nearly 35 million people. Getting the news that you too have diabetes can be scary and daunting, but you’re not alone. In this article, we will address how most people battling diabetes lead full and enriched lives, rise above this disease by staying informed, and can potentially ward off the disease forever.
Diabetes is a metabolic illness in which your body is unable to produce the minimum amount of insulin necessary, specifically targeting the pancreas. This issue causes the glucose levels in your blood to rise to unhealthy amounts. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Generally, Type 1 diabetes is when your body does not produce any insulin, at all. Type 2 diabetes targets people who do not produce enough insulin, or when your body neglects the insulin that is being made. Over 90% of people with diabetes experience Type 2.
Insulin-dependent diabetes, or Type 1, requires patients to inject insulin into their body themselves. This is typically done prior to eating a meal, to ensure that the body is able to maintain control over blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes, due to commonly occurring in children and teenagers.
Type 2 diabetes is a developed condition, and can eventually lead to Type 1, if not treated properly. Typically, those suffering from Type 2 diabetes can manage this disease through pills and regulated insulin control. However, some people eventually grow immune to this routine and may require a strict insulin regiment. Exercise, eating appropriately, and personal body mass index, is essential to maintaining a controllable lifestyle, while dealing with Type 2 diabetes.
Being the most common form of diabetes, Type 2 is the more manageable disease. In the late 1970’s, American society became increasingly fixated on removing fat from their bodies. Science and medicine told us that an overabundance of fat in our diet would lead to heart problems, clogged arteries, and even strokes. This data spread across the nation, and changed how everyone purchased and consumed food. Fat that was naturally found in certain foods, was replaced with sugar, making more products ‘fat free.’ Distribution companies became fixated on producing a certain amount of quantity of product, and nutrients and proportions fell victim to neglect. This craze of eliminating fat from our foods has caused us to create the epidemic of Type 2 diabetes, with the amount of people diagnosed rising every day.
Type 2 diabetes is more commonly found in adults, however an increased number of adolescents are starting to develop this disease early on. With overweight children a common element of society, the spike of Type 2 diabetes is an easy correlation. Studies have shown that children of this era are less physically active and more sedentary throughout their daily lives. Increased demand for video games, digital media, and longer hours of schooling, are all contributing factors of their stagnant lifestyles. Sitting for such long periods of time each day are also leading to an increase in obesity and Type 2 diabetes, ensuring that the future that lies ahead will be even more challenging. Physicians suggest that deterring children away from junk and unhealthy foods can help curb diabetes from spreading at such a young age, and increasing the chance of success, as they grow older.
With modern medicine and technology, doctors can easily pinpoint a pattern of unhealthiness and steer you in the opposite direction of diabetes. Pre-diabetes is when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not so high that you’ve developed diabetes. This issue is more common in today’s adulthood, showing up in numerous routine physical exams. The sooner you are aware of your pre-diabetic condition, the faster you can change your habits and move down a healthier path.
Preventing diabetes is not only easy to manage, but is advised for anyone who wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Surprisingly, Type 2 diabetes can actually be reversed, if proper diet and exercise are implemented early on in a diagnosis. Establishing a healthy weight and workout regime will leave you feeling better, and less likely to be pumping insulin into your body, down the road. Overcoming Type 2 diabetes is a realistic goal for anyone suffering with this disease. Make sure to get checked early and often with your physician, to ensure that your taking any and all necessary steps to curb any diabetic preconditions.
Stay one step ahead of your diabetes by regularly checking your blood glucose levels, taking the proper medications, dieting properly, and exercising regularly. Meet with your physician today to discuss how you can find a realistic regime to adopt and maintain. By following all these steps, you’ll not only potentially reverse your diabetes, but your overall lifestyle and health will benefit tremendously!
