Living Healthy with Diabetes

Diabetes does not have to put a stop to your life and suck the fun out of it. However, if you have been diagnosed, you will need to pay special attention to your health and lifestyle.To be healthy with diabetes, keep your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure within the levels required.

Diabetes can be of 3 types;

Type 1 – An autoimmune disease where the pancreas produces very little insulin or no insulin at all. This is usually genetic and mostly present in children and young adults. People with Type 1 diabetes will have the disease for life and will need treatment in the form of insulin shots. In addition to this, exercise and attention to diet is necessary to prevent any fluctuations of blood glucose level.

Type 2 – This is considered as a lifestyle disease as it is normally found in overweight people as they get older.  It is usually triggered by sluggish lifestyle and lack of exercise; however this may be hereditary as well.

Gestational Diabetes – This is a condition that presents itself during the third trimester of pregnancy. On an average, about 4 percent of all pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes.  However, unlike Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, this will disappear after the baby is born. While that is said, gestational diabetes puts the woman at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Health Risks – Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes put you at increased risk of the following:

There are steps that can be taken to minimize the damage and continue living a healthy lifestyle even though you have been diagnosed with diabetes

• Take regular medication as prescribed by your doctor
• Reduce extra kilos as it helps in controlling the blood glucose level
• Eat a balanced diet that is low in fat, salt and sugar
• Smoking increases your risk of heart disease and stroke even further.
• Work out for at least 30 minutes a day, five times a week; this gently raises your heart rate.
• Regular check-ups are an important part of managing your diabetes.