Diabetes - A Quick Read
Is your blood sugar level constantly high despite your best efforts?
Feeling more hungry and thirsty than usual and have lost weight without meaning to?
What is Diabetes?
consistently having abnormally high levels of blood sugar
Type of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes - insulin production is affected
Type 2 Diabetes - insulin resistance is not overcome
Prediabetes - borderline diabetic that can be managed with certain changes
Gestational Diabetes - high blood sugar during pregnancy
Signs and Symptoms
increase in urination (both frequency and output)
increasingly thirsty
unexplained weight loss or gain
increase in hunger
feeling tired and easily fatigued
skin problems like itchiness and slow healing of wounds
susceptible to fungal (yeast) infections
numbness in feet and tingling in the toes
frequent infections
blurred vision
dehydration and dry mouth
Who are at risk of diabetes?
Overweight or obese and over 45 years of age with family history more likely for Type 2
inactive lifestyle
family history of Diabetes
high blood pressure
high triglyceride (fat) levels in blood with low HDL
Child or teenager with family history more likely for Type 1
Increasing age
Insulin resistance and low glucose tolerance
some ethnic backgrounds
How does it occur?
exact cause of Type 1 is unknown.
Type 2 - genetic and inability to produce enough insulin for the intake amount of glucose. Pancreas is unable to cope and excess glucose is circulated in the blood. Insulin becomes less effective over time for glucose uptake by the cells and sugar levels continues to rise. Eventually insulin resistance develops.
Trigger factors
Genetic
Environmental and lifestyle practise
High consumption of unhealthy items
Pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure
Lifestyle adaptations
Try to lose weight if overweight
change dietary habits to include more fresh nutritious foods like whole grains, fruits*, vegetables
Avoiding sugary foods and liquid calories like from soft-drinks etc
Limiting or refraining the alcohol intake
Getting physically active with minimum of 30 minutes activity daily
Eat smaller portions at regular set times.
reduce trans and saturated fats and carbohydrate foods from diet
Diabetic Diet
(Picture credit:https://www.niddk.nih.gov)
limit or avoid alcohol where possible
limit foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt.
limit refined carbs like white bread, sugary cereals
avoid saturated and trans fat
A sample menu (Meni credit:https://www.mayoclinic.org)
When planning meals, take into account your size and activity level. The following menu is tailored for someone who needs 1,200 to 1,600 calories a day.
Breakfast. Whole-wheat bread (1 medium slice) with 2 teaspoons jelly, 1/2 cup shredded wheat cereal with a cup of 1 percent low-fat milk, a piece of fruit, coffee
Lunch. Roast beef sandwich on wheat bread with lettuce, low-fat American cheese, tomato and mayonnaise, medium apple, water
Dinner. Salmon, 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil, small baked potato, 1/2 cup carrots, 1/2 cup green beans, medium white dinner roll, unsweetened iced tea, milk
Snack. 2 1/2 cups popcorn with 1 1/2 teaspoons margarine
Tests
Fasting plasma glucose tests or A1C test
Random plasma glucose test
Random blood glucose tests
Glucose Challenge test
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Glucometer tests
Monitoring glucose using self test meters
handle and keep the meter and strips dry and away from heat and sunlight, with clean dry hands.
Do not mix strips with different meters and do not use a strip and lancet(pricking needles) more than once.
Do not use strips beyond expiry dates.
If meter requires coding, ensure the codes match before testing. Newer meters are mostly code-free and easier to use.
Clean and dry the finger tips with clean soapy water before testing.
Adjust depth level on lancet device before pricking.
Pricking on the sides of fingers are generally less painful.
Follow instructions supplied with the meter to begin the test process.
Treatment Options
Oral medications
Will lower the blood sugar levels and/or make the insulin more effective.
slows the bodys breakdown of sugar and starchy foods
reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver
increase the amount of glucose released in the urine
Increase the amount of insulin produced in the body and decreases glucose amount entering the bloodstream.
help the insulin to work better
Diabetic supplements
Insulin
Rapid acting - starts working within 15 minutes and lasts for 3 to 4 hours
Regular acting - starts working within 30 minutes and lasts 6 to 8 hours
Intermediate acting - starts working within 1 to 2 hours and lasts 12 to 18 hours
Long-acting - starts working few hours after injection and lasts 24 hours or longer
Mixed
Complications and concerns:
Blindness
Kidney failure
Nerve damage (Microvascular and Macrovascular disease)
narrowing and hardening of arteries
strokes
doubles the risk of Heart diseases (coronory)
Diabetic coma
Hearing loss
Depression
Dementia
Hypoglycemia (self administration of insulin)
Decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction in men
Urinary tract infections
Vaginal infections
Premature and higher birth weight and even stillbirth with Gestational Diabetes
All these and more are available at Health First pharmacy...visit us for all your health needs first...talk to us first!!!
eat balanced and smaller portion sizes
Choose a smaller plate size and divide it with (as shown in the image) with half plate of non-starchy green vegetables with meat or alternative protein source (if vegan) on a quarter of the plate and grains or alternative on the remaining quarter.
meals are better divided over 5 or 6 meal sessions instead of 3 larger ones.
choose whole grain carbs over starchy carbs
choose lean protein and smart fats like avacado and nuts for cereals
