The statistics are staggering. It is believed that 1 out of 14 residents of Northeastern Ohio have diabetes. Unfortunately, the number will most likely continue to increase.
Diabetes itself can lead to a number of complications in the feet, eyes, kidneys and the heart. If not managed properly, early death or serious illness can take place. Diabetes needs to be taken seriously.
Diabetes occurs because either the body does not make insulin or the body does not efficiently use what insulin the body does make.
In either case, sugar levels need to be tightly regulated for the body to perform optimally.
Exercise and diet control are effective for many in managing their diabetes. Some use a variety of oral medications to manage their diabetes. Those that are type I diabetics must take insulin in order to live.
In my own case I exercised daily prior to being diagnosed with type II diabetes over 12 years ago and I was not obese, but could afford to lose 10-15 pounds and certainly could adjust my diet to eat more healthy.
Once diagnosed in the earliest stages, I was able to manage my diabetes with a stronger more organized exercise regime and had a diet game plan put in place with supervision assistance from a dietician with diabetes expertise. Initially, I did not require any medications.
I lost 25 pounds, which I have kept off for over 10 years now. However, my diabetes continued to progress and now in addition to my daily exercise routine, I must now take five daily oral medications to control my diabetes.
My exercise regime includes working out at a local gym three days a week for an hour including free weights, nautilus equipment and walking a mile. Two days a week, I ride a treadmill at my home for 30 minutes. Daily, regardless of weather conditions in Northeastern Ohio, I walk our two standard poodles one mile before dinner and one mile after dinner EVERYDAY of the year!
When out of town, I follow the same routine (with the exceptions of not having two blonde-haired 60-pound poodles pulling at me).
Initially, I changed my diet to give up sweets and candies and sugared colas! This allows an easy way of losing weight and with sugar free products available I find I can satisfy my sweet cravings and yet be prudent with my diabetes too.
Monitoring blood levels are necessary, as are regular visits with your health care providers. I see my primary care givers at least every three months.
I monitor my sugar levels daily in the morning, and anytime I feel my numbers are too high or too low. Either case presents issues.
When my sugar is too low, I feel very weak, have sweats, become pale and feel as though I am moving in slow motion. I measure my sugar, but can generally guess when it is in the high sixties to high seventy range TOO LOW!
I take a glass of orange juice, grape juice, sugared cola and a cookie or pop tart. Although, generally these items would not be suggested for a diabetic, when your sugar levels are too low or dangerously low, you must take immediate action or you can have serious consequences.
My wife and kids are aware of what to do when I am too low in the event I am unable to help myself.
When my sugar is too high, I am very fatigued and extremely thirsty and have to urinate often.
I was diagnosed over 12 years ago with type II diabetes. I was lucky as I was diagnosed as part of a regular checkup so the illness was found in its infancy and had not caused permanent irreparable damage.
I take being a diabetic very serious and although, I am not pleased to currently take a combination of five oral medications daily, by in large my quality of life is good and my overall health is better today in many respects than before the diagnosis.
If you take diabetes serious, listen to your body and your healthcare provider and tweak your medicines, diet and exercise routines you can live a relatively normal life enjoying yourself and the company of your family and friends.
