For many, a diabetes diagnosis is a wake-up
call. You can get a diagnosis at any age, and it's important to know what you
can do to help yourself live a normal life with diabetes. Controlling a case of
diabetes is usually a question of managing your blood sugar levels and living
an active, health-conscious life. Medications (usually insulin, but sometimes
other medications as well) are also used to keep your blood sugar under control
and to manage your symptoms. See Step 1 to start getting your diabetes under
control so you can live a happy, healthy life.
Type 1 Diabetes
1 Always consult with a
doctor before starting your treatment plan. Type 1 diabetes,
also called juvenile diabetes, is a chronic disease, which, despite its name,
can affect people at any age. This type of diabetes is an autoimmune disease.
While it can occur suddenly, symptoms will usually follow a previous illness.
Its symptoms include frequent thirst and urination, loss of appetite, nausea
and vomiting. Often these symptoms will cause dehydration. If left untreated
type one diabetes can be severe and even life-threatening. Because of this, it
is very important to rely on the advice of a qualified doctor or specialist
when deciding on a plan to fight your diabetes. The content in this article
refers only to general cases and is not intended to replace the opinion of an
actual doctor.
- Though neither Type 1 nor Type 2 diabetes can be completely cured, with a lifelong commitment to your treatment plan, these diseases can be managed to the point that you will be able to live a normal life. The sooner you begin this treatment plan after you develop diabetes, the better. If you think you may have diabetes, don't delay in seeing a doctor. Because the initial symptoms of Type 1 diabetes can be severe, it is not uncommon for you to have to stay in the hospital for a short time after your diagnosis. If you suspect that you have diabetes and delay seeing a doctor, you can end up in a coma. It is highly recommended that you see a doctor.
2 Take steps to understand diabetes. You're
here, so you are in the right mind set. Diabetes educators are highly
recommended. These experts help you understand the different tools available to
you, and can help you adjust your meals to better control blood glucose levels.
For type one diabetics diagnosed at a young age, an appointment with an
educator is often mandatory, and they will often meet with you while in the
hospital.
3 Take insulin every day. The
bodies of people with Type 1 diabetes have a pancreas damaged in a way that
will not produce insulin effectively. Insulin is a chemical compound used to
break down sugar (medically known as blood glucose) in the bloodstream. This
type of diabetic must meet with their doctor to find their correct dosage of
insulin, because different individuals have different reactions to various
types of insulin, and because some individuals with this type of diabetes may
still be producing insulin at mild levels. Without insulin, the symptoms of
Type 1 diabetes will rapidly worsen and eventually cause death. To be clear:
Type 1 diabetics need to take insulin every day or they will die.[2]Your
precise daily insulin dosages will vary based on your size, diet, activity
level, and genetics, which is why it is so important to see a doctor to get a
thorough evaluation before beginning your diabetes treatment plan. Insulin is
generally available in several different varieties, each of which is formulated
for specific purposes. These are:
- "Mealtime" (bolus)
insulin: Rapid-acting insulin. Usually taken right before a meal to
prevent elevated blood glucose levels after eating.
- Basal insulin: Slower-acting
insulin. Usually taken between meals once or twice a day to control
"resting" blood glucose levels.
- Pre-mixed insulin: A combination
of bolus and basal insulin. Can be be taken before breakfast and dinner in
order to keep blood glucose levels low after meals as well as throughout
the day.
- Insulin Pumps: A insulin pump is a
device that continually injects a bolus rate insulin to mimic the effects
of the basal rate insulin. Your blood glucose is entered into the device
at meal times and in accordance with your normal testing schedule, and
your bolus is calculated for you. In addition a crabs ratio can be set and
be added to the bolus calculation as well. An injection set which consists
of a plastic cap attached to a catheter that is inserted into your normal
injection site and remains attached with an adhesive pad. On the other end
of the set is a tube that connects to a cartridge that you fill with
insulin and insert into the pump unit.Some pumps have a compatible glucose
monitor that measures glucose levels just below the dermis, while not as
effective as a glucose meter, this device will allow early detection of
sugar spikes and drops.
4 Exercise. In
general, people with diabetes should strive to be physically fit. Physical
exercise has the effect of lowering the body's glucose levels - sometimes for
as long as 24 hours. Because the most
harmful effects of diabetes are caused by elevated glucose levels, exercise is
a valuable tool that allows diabetics to keep glucose at manageable levels. In
addition, exercise also provides the same benefits to diabetics that it does to
non-diabetics - namely, greater overall fitness, weight loss, higher strength
and endurance, higher energy levels, elevated mood, and more.
- Diabetes resources generally
recommend exercising at least several times per week. Most resources
recommend a healthy mix of cardio, strength training, and
balance/flexibility exercises. See How to Exercise for more
information.
- Though low, manageable glucose
levels are generally a good thing for diabetics,
exercising while you have low blood sugar levels can lead to a condition
called hypoglycemia, in which the body doesn't have enough blood sugar to
fuel its vital processes and the exercising muscles.
Hypoglycemia can lead to dizziness, weakness, and fainting. To counter
glycemia, carry a sugary, quick-acting carbohydrate like soda or a sports
drink with you while you exercise.
5 Minimize stress. Whether
the cause is physical or mental, stress is known to cause blood sugar levels to
fluctuate. Constant or prolonged stress can cause
blood sugar levels to rise in the long term, which means you may need to use
more medication or exercise more frequently to say healthy. Generally, the best
cure for stress is a preventative one - avoid stress in the first place by
exercising frequently, getting enough sleep, avoiding stressful situations when
possible, and talking about your problems before they become serious.
- Other stress management techniques
include seeing a therapist, practicing meditation techniques, eliminating
caffeine from your diet, and pursuing healthy hobbies. See How
to Deal With Stress for more information.
6 Avoid getting sick. As
both an actual physical ailment and as an indirect source of stress, illness
can cause your blood sugars to fluctuate. Prolonged or serious illness can even
necessitate changes in the way you take your diabetes medication or the diet
and exercise routines you'll need to keep. Though the best policy when it comes
to sicknesses is to avoid them by living a life that is as healthy, happy, and
stress-free as possible, if and when you do come down with an
illness, be sure to give yourself the rest and medicine that you need to get
better as quickly as possible.
- If you have the common cold, try
drinking plenty of fluids, taking over-the-counter cold medications (but
avoid sugary cough syrups), and getting plenty of rest. Since having the
cold can ruin your appetite, you'll want to be sure to eat roughly 15
grams of carbohydrates every hour or so. Though
having a cold usually elevates your blood sugar levels, refraining from
eating as may feel natural can cause your blood sugar to fall dangerously
low.
- Serious illnesses always require
the advice of a doctor, but managing serious diseases in patients with
diabetes can require special medicines and techniques. If you are diabetic
and you think you may have a disease that is more serious than an ordinary
cold, see your doctor right away.
7 Modify your diabetes
plans to account for menstruation and menopause. Diabetic women have unique challenges when it comes to managing
blood sugar during their periods and menopause. Though diabetes effects every
woman differently, many women report having elevated blood sugar levels in the
days before their periods, which can require using more insulin or changing
your diet and exercise habits to compensate.[8] However,
your blood sugar levels during your menstrual cycle may be different, so talk
to your doctor or gynecologist for specific guidance.
- Additionally, menopause can change
the way that the body's blood sugar level fluctuates. Many women report
that their glucose levels become more unpredictable during menopause. Menopause
can also lead to weight gain, sleep loss, and temporary vaginal ailments,
which can increase the body's levels of stress hormones and elevate
glucose levels. If you are
diabetic and are going through menopause, talk to your doctor to find a
treatment plan that's right for you.
8 Schedule regular
check-ups with your doctor. Right after you are diagnosed with Type
1 diabetes, it is likely that you will need to meet with your doctor regularly
(as much as once a week or more) to get a sense for how to best control your
blood glucose levels. It can take a few weeks to develop an insulin therapy
regimen that perfectly matches your diet and activity level. Once your diabetes
treatment routine is established, you won't need to meet with your doctor quite
as often. However, you should plan on maintaining a good relationship with your
doctor, which means scheduling semi-regular follow-up appointments. Your doctor
is the person who is best-suited to detecting discrepancies in your blood
glucose levels before they become serious and are valuable resources when you
need to manage your diabetes during times of stress, sickness, pregnancy, and
so on.
- Generally, as a Type 1 diabetic, once your routine is established, you should expect to see your doctor once every 3 - 6 months.
Type 2 Diabetes
1 Consult with your doctor
before beginning treatment. If you have Type 2 diabetes, your body
is able to produce some insulin, as opposed to none at all,
but has a diminished capacity for producing insulin or is not able to use the
chemical correctly. Because of this crucial difference, Type 2 diabetes
symptoms can be more mild than Type 1 symptoms, and have a more gradual onset,
and can require less drastic treatments (though exceptions are possible).
However, as with Type 1 diabetes, seeing your doctor before beginning any
treatment plan is still essential. Only a qualified medical professional has
the knowledge definitively diagnose your diabetes and design a treatment plan
that's tailored to your personal needs.
2 If you can, manage your
diabetes with diet and exercise. As noted above,
people with Type 2 diabetes have a diminished (but not nonexistent) capacity to
make and use insulin naturally. Because their bodies do make some insulin, in
some cases, it's possible for people with Type 2 diabetes to manage their
disease without having to use any artificial insulin. Usually, this is done
through careful diet and exercise, which means minimizing the amount of sugary
foods consumed, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly. Some
people with mild cases of Type 2 diabetes can potentially live basically
"normal" lives if they are very careful about what they eat and how
much they exercise.
- It's important to remember,
however, that some cases of Type 2 diabetes are more severe than others
and can't be managed with diet and exercise alone and can require insulin
or other medications.
- Note: see the sections below for
information relating to diet and medications.
3 Be prepared to pursue
more aggressive treatment options over time. Type 2 diabetes is
known to be a progressive disease. This means that it can get worse over time.
This is thought to be because the body's cell's responsible for producing
insulin get "worn out" from having to work extra hard in people with
Type 2 diabetes. As a result, cases of Type 2 diabetes
that once required relatively minor treatment options can eventually require
more drastic treatments, including insulin therapy, after several years. This
is often not due to any fault on the patient's behalf.
- As with Type 1 diabetes, you
should keep in close contact with your physician if you have Type 2
diabetes - regular tests and checkups can help you detect the progression
of Type 2 diabetes before it becomes serious.
4 Consider bariatric
surgery if you are obese. Obesity is one of the leading causes of
Type 2 diabetes. However, being obese can make any case of
diabetes more dangerous and harder to manage. The added stress that obesity
puts on the body can make it extremely difficult to keep blood sugar at healthy
levels. In Type 2 diabetes cases where patients have high body mass indexes
(usually greater than 35), doctors will sometimes recommend weight-reduction
surgeries to bring the patient's weight under control quickly. Two types of
surgery are usually used for this purpose:
- Gastric bypass surgery - the
stomach is shrunk to the size of a thumb and the small intestine is
shortened so that fewer calories are absorbed from food. This change is
permanent.
- Laparoscopic
Gastric Banding ("Lap Banding") - a band is wrapped around the
stomach so that it feels fuller with less food. This band can be adjusted
or removed if needed.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét