Diabetes is a serious, chronic illness affecting nearly 24 million Americans. It can be deadly if left untreated, but in many cases diabetes can be prevented before it ever becomes an issue. This page will show you how to prevent diabetes so that you can have a healthier future.
- There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system begins attacking pancreas cells that produce insulin, for unknown reasons. Unfortunately, type 1 diabetes, which affects juveniles as well as adults, cannot be prevented. http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_insul_crs.htm
- 90 to 95% of diabetes are type 2, which develops over time and may be 'nipped in the bud', so to speak. This page will deal primarily with type 2 diabetes, and show you the lifestyle changes that can help ensure that you never develop this debilitating illness.
Diabetes Prevention Tips
In this video, a professional nurse explains ways to help you avoid developing diabetes. The different types of diabetes are described, and practical advice on lifestyle changes are offered.
Step 1: Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
- Chronic thirst
- Chronic hunger
- Chronic fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Blurry vision
- Tingling in the feet
- Slow healing infectionshttp://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/understanding-diabetes-symptoms
Step 2: Prevention Steps
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Do not smoke
- Get adequate exercise
- Maintain healthy blood pressure
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Avoid foods that are high in sodium
- Avoid foods that are high in fat http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/preventing-type-2-diabetes
Step 3: See Your Doctor
Before developing full-blown diabetes, your doctor may be able to diagnose you as pre-diabetic. If you know that you have pre-diabetes, then immediate steps may be taken to ensure that the type 2 diabetes never strikes. You may even be given medication to help stunt the development of the disease, although it has been found that lifestyle changes have generally proven more effective than prescriptions. Changing your eating patterns and getting adequate exercise are often the most effective treatments.http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/prevention/pre-diabetes/how-to-prevent-pre-diabetes.html
Tips
-Be sure to get regular physician checkups
- -Check in your family for a history of diabetes
-Try to maintain a healthy weight
