Tip for Healthy Aging: How to Deal with Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that can be very hard to deal with. A lot of people with diabetes tend to have a difficult time living with the disease. However, diabetics can continue to enjoy life if they watch and stick to their diet, take their medications on time and as prescribed by their doctor, and exercising regularly. Diabetes may be a serious, debilitating condition, but it doesn't mean your life has to stop once you have it.
Diabetes -- What Is It?
Diabetes is one disease you can get if you aren't eating right or properly taking care of your body. Your risk of developing diabetes also increases if you have a family history of the disease. In fact, most people who have diabetes will have a family history of it. If not treated and managed properly, diabetes can lead to blindness, and even amputation of the legs or feet. Basically, diabetes is a disease wherein your body is not able to produce insulin or the insulin is not broken down properly in the bloodstream. There are two types of diabetes: diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes insipidus is a type of diabetes wherein the body does not have the ability to produce enough insulin. Diabetes insipidus is treatable. If you are diagnosed with this type of diabetes, you will need to take medications, exercise regularly, and follow a strict diet in order for you to remain healthy. Diabetes mellitus, on the other hand, is a type of diabetes wherein the body is able to produce insulin but it is not able to break down the sugar in the bloodstream. If you have this type of diabetes, you will need to take insulin shots.
How to Tell If You Have Diabetes
If you have a history of diabetes in either side or both sides of your family, you need to let your doctor know about this. Your doctor can conduct some tests to see if you have it. Some of the tests your doctor can do on your are the glucose test and blood test.
Signs to Look Out For
You may be pre-diabetic if you notice the following signs: whenever you drink, you still feel thirsty afterwards, even if you drink a lot of water; you feel fatigued most of the time but you don't know why you are so tired; you are either gaining or losing weight for no apparent reason; and you feel weak. Diabetes can throw your body off so if you notice any of the above mentioned signs, don't hesitate to go to your doctor and ask to be tested for diabetes. Early detection and prevention is the best thing you can do for yourself.
Ways You Can Avoid Diabetes
If you don't have diabetes yet, there are things you can do to avoid getting the disease. If you are already pre-diabetic or have diabetes, there are still things you can do to keep it from progressing. Either way, you'll need to get regular check ups. See your doctor regularly and ask him to do tests on your to find out if you are pre-diabetic. The early the disease is caught, the better your chances of beating it. Eating right and exercising every day can help you fend off diabetes or manage the disease if you already have it. Keep in mind that diabetes is a disease that doesn't discriminate -- it affects both young and old.
People with Diabetes
Diabetes, when not managed properly or given treatment, can result to amputation of the legs or feet. Many diabetics have high risk of kidney failure. If you are already living with diabetes, the best thing you can do to help yourself is to listen to your doctor and follow his instructions. Drink lots of water; this is important because diabetes can drain your body of fluids. In addition, avoid eating saturated fat foods and basic sugars. See your doctor for check up and tests.
Diabetes can lead to other illnesses such as meningitis. In addition, you may experience headaches, muscle weakness, dehydration and pain. You may also experience blurred vision, slow healing of wounds and sexual dysfunctions. So it's important that you take great care of yourself when you are living with this disease.
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