Are You Taking Control of Your Diabetes?

[Guest guest]

Are Yo.u Taking Control of Your Diabetes?

 

The prevalence of type-2 diabetes is spreading like wild fire. As many as 18

million Americans suffer from the disease, including a growing number of

children and young adults.

Fact is, type-2 diabetes is almost entirely caused by poor diet and a lack of

exercise, indicating millions of Americans bring it on themselves. What's worse,

according to a report, about two-thirds of the Americans diagnosed with the

disease don't even have their condition under control, making them vulnerable to

blindness and limb loss, as well as early death caused by:

 

Stroke

Heart attack

Kidney failure

A Survey Reveals the Truth

 

In a survey of 157,000 people with type-2 diabetes, researchers looked at a

blood sugar reading called A1C, which signifies average blood sugar levels over

the previous two months or so by measuring how much glucose is attached to red

blood cells. And the survey said:

 

Sixty-seven percent of those surveyed didn't have an adequate A1C blood sugar

reading. (A separate Harris poll found 60 percent of the respondents didn't even

know what A1C meant.)

 

In a state-by-state comparison, no more than half of the patients in any state

managed to control their blood sugar at all.

 

Moreover, blood sugar should be below 110 before eating and no more than 140

after eating; when glucose levels get too high, they can damage the insides of

the blood vessels and lead to heart attacks and stroke. They can also damage the

tiny capillaries inside the eyes and kidneys, which lead to blindness and kidney

failure.

 

So what can the 40 percent of Americans aged 40-74 who have pre-diabetes do to

stop the disease in its tracks? They can begin by exercising and eating better;

however, once complications of type-2 diabetes have set in, there's no going

back.

 

Reuters May 18, 2005

 

 

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Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

If poorly managed, diabetes can result in devastating consequences. At the same

time, if properly treated, diabetes does not have to impair or damage your

health..

 

Of course, genetics may play a role in your susceptibility to this condition,

but your family history does not actually dictate whether or not you get it.

That is almost entirely up to you.

 

This is what is so unfortunate about the above statistics. Diabetes, at nearly

any stage, is a very treatable condition. While it will take some work on your

part, the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

 

I am not exactly certain why so many people are having such a difficult time

managing this disease, but I suspect that, in large part, it is due to a

combination of lack of motivation and lack of treatment knowledge.

 

Fortunately, this site provides you with many tools to help with both of these

challenges. You can start by reading Dr. Rosedale's article on insulin. (I was

also able to have him comment on updates, which appear in his most recent

article, found in this issue.) Then, follow this simple, three-step plan which

should help you gain control over your diabetes if you have it, and protect you

from getting it if you don't:

 

Eat foods that are right for your metabolic type

Exercise

Get enough sleep

Related Articles:

 

One in Five of You Reading This Have Diabetes or Pre-Diabetes

 

Diabetes to Double by 2030

 

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