Diabetes - The Real Deal  - It Is Manageable! 

Do you or someone you know have diabetes?  So do nearly 21 million people in the U.S.

Left untreated, diabetes ups the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions. But it can often be avoided and managed. Get key prediabetes and diabetes information, including diabetes causes, symptoms, tests, and treatment.

The Basics
Diabetes, the most common disorder of the endocrine (hormone) system, occurs when blood sugar levels in the body consistently stay above normal.  It affects more than 23 million people in the U.S. alone.

Diabetes is a disease brought on by either the body's inability to make insulin (type 1 diabetes) or by the body not responding to the effects of insulin (type 2 diabetes).  It can also appear during pregnancy.  Insulin is one of the main hormones that regulates blood sugar levels and allows the body to use sugar (called glucose) for energy. 

What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
Common symptoms of diabetes include:

*  Excessive thirst and appetite
*  Dry mouth
*  Increased urination (sometimes as often as every hour)
*  Unusual weight loss or gain
*  Fatigue
*  Nausea, perhaps vomiting
*  Blurred vision
*  In women, frequent vaginal infections
*  In men and women, yeast infections
*  Slow-healing sores or cuts
*  Itching skin, especially in the groin or vaginal area

Diagnosis, Tests & Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the different types of diabetes and your risk for this disease.

Personal Comment
Early this year I was diagnosed as Diabetic Type 2.  Since it is a part of my genetic makeup, I was not shocked.  It runs hard on my Maternal side of the family.  As a child it was a common conversation to hear who was the latest in the family to have "sugar".  Add to that -  I have a sedentary career and lifestyle.  I am not a fan nor an active participant of sports.  A much younger me was a steady student of dance, and that has always been my heart.  Those who know me are not surprised at that statement.  I 'cut a rug' on the regular.  A later me became a big fan of swimming.  I loved the water and could spend a day at the pool.  But then my zodiac pic is a goat with a fishtail.

As I grew older, as we do,  I became a 'bum', sitting & reading, sitting & watching the tube, sitting & surfing, sitting & creating web sites, sitting at work.  That's who I am.  Since I love food, like most of you, I picked up some weight - and didn't put it down like I should have.  On the plus side, since I don't drive, I walk more than most people.  My real exercise is dancing on Friday and Saturday nights, when I am working on-line and yes, sitting.  I catch a groove and jam for a few minutes.

After being diagnosed, I went to the mandatory Diabetic Nutrition Classes directed by my HMO.  They were the best health classes I have attended, and since my health was involved I was motivated to learn all I could.  I recommend all diagnosed diabetics find and enroll in a Diabetic Nutrition class.  If your HMO does not have one, and they should, research and see if your local Hospital gives them.  The information that you gain may save your life!

Well armed with the information I need to get myself healthy, I changed my diet to exclude sugar in as many forms as possible - raw, sodas, juice, fruit drinks, and the infamous Kool-Aid.  I increased my intake of fresh vegetables, eliminated canned vegetables, cut seriously back on starches, and increased my fresh fruit intake.  While I may eat fried foods, I have seriously cut back on how often I eat them, and increased my grilled, broiled and baked meats.

In the process, I have lost and am still losing weight.  Nice!!!  Better than that, my Doctor is very happy with my results.  It is possible that at the end of this year, I may be able to end my intake of the medicine and be able to manage my Diabetes through diet and exercise.

What I do not understand are people who do not take this illness seriously.  The possible side effects of the disease are very serious.  As I stated earlier, I grew up hearing about the damage Diabetes can do.  In my family, it's a time bomb that most can avoid.  I could be sensitive, or I just may not get it.

Anyway, if you have a family history or suspect you may have Diabetes or be Pre- Diabetic, take the time -  see your Doctor and have the test done.  The sooner you get tested, the better advantage you have.

A special shout out to the Sistah Queen who gave me Ms. LaBelle's Diabetic Cookbook  to assist with my new life.  Smooches!

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Last Updated: 09/16/2011