The most common diabetes symptoms are increased urination, thirst, hunger and fatigue, as well as blurry vision, irritability, and weight loss. If you are experiencing one or more of these diabetes symptoms, contact your doctor.
If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, you probably know that much of your long-term health depends on good diabetes diet. Tracking your diabetes diet, nutritional information, and exercise to manage your glucose levels may seem like a lot of work, but if left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious complications.
Educate yourself about what factors can influence your blood sugar because a well-balanced diabetes diet can have a huge positive impact on your health. Planning well-balanced meals and exercising regularly can help keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible which will help you feel better now and avoid complications in the future.
When you eat, food is converted to glucose. Your cells then use insulin to convert that glucose into energy for your body. When your body doesn't produce enough insulin or doesn't properly use the insulin it does produce, your blood glucose levels will be high because the glucose is not getting into the cells where it is needed. There is a lot to learn about diabetes, and a site such as the American Diabetes Association is a great resource. Following is a short list of frequently asked questions:
How do people get diabetes?
What is pre-diabetes?
What is a good diabetes diet?
What is the Track3 and how can it help manage diabetes?
We also have a list of resources for diabetes nutrition, diet, and management.
The cause of diabetes is unknown, although genetics plays a role. Obesity and exercise are also key factors. People with pre-diabetes symptoms can reduce their risk of developing diabetes by following good diabetes nutrition, losing weight if necessary, and getting moderate amounts of exercise.
Types of diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes is when the body does not produce enough insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, is when the body does not properly use the insulin it produces.
- Gestational diabetes develops in about 4% of pregnant women and can last through the pregnancy. A woman who has had gestational diabetes is more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life.
What is pre-diabetes?
In pre-diabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be characterized as diabetes. The risk of developing diabetes, however, is quite high. Again, good diabetes nutrition and diet, with modest weight loss and moderate physical activity is the key. Often people with pre-diabetes can delay or prevent Type 2 diabetes by adopting healthier lifestyles.
The views on what a good diabetes diet means have undergone numerous revisions. You should, of course, consult your health care advisor for details about your recommended diabetes diet. In general, good diabetes nutrition involves being aware of the nutritional information of what you eat and its impact on your blood glucose. You need to balance and track food, medication, and exercise. Eating regularly, and on-time, helps to avoid low-blood glucose. Learning about body mass index and the glycemic index of foods can also be helpful.
We created a diabetes carb counter and management tool called the Track3. This handheld device helps keep track of diabetes nutritional information. Looking up nutritional information about food, keeping track of what you eat, and recording your exercise and medication are important parts of diabetes management. We made the Track3 small enough so you can easily carry it with you wherever you go. The better records you keep, the better lifestyle you can enjoy.
www.mendosa.com - A great resource for people with diabetes. His blog is also interesting.
www.diabetesmonitor.com -A monitor of diabetes happenings on the web and elsewhere.
More information on diabetes and nutrition is here.
