Type II Diabetes
A Daily Guide
“My day is not that different from a nondiabetic’s except that I take a pill every day and have to check my blood glucose. I work out a lot and watch what I eat . . . I choose to live my life and not have diabetes live it for me.“ - Nadia Stewart
Background
Insulin is a hormone that lowers high blood glucose levels. Every time you eat something with sugars, your blood glucose levels increase, signaling your pancreas to release insulin into your bloodstream. There, the insulin signals cells to bring in the glucose from your blood. But in Type II Diabetes, your body makes too much insulin, but your body cannot use it properly, this is called insulin resistance. And eventually, your blood glucose levels will remain high for long periods of time.
Signs and Symptoms
Increased thirst and urination, increased hunger, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, frequent infections, and more.
Dangers of letting blood glucose get too high
Lowers the pancreas’ ability to make insulin, permanently damaging it
hardening of blood vessel (atherosclerosis) which can lead to kidney problems, strokes, heart attacks, blindness, greater risk of infection, nerve damage,& poor circulation.Limit refined carbs
Focus instead on high fiber complex carbs. Try foods such as brown rice or whole grain bread.
Cut back on soda
An easy way to reduce sugar intake is by reducing the amount of soft drinks you indulge in. Try juice or milk instead.
Avoid too much red meat
Don't eat too much saturated fats or trans fats. Eat fish a few nights a week.
Guidelines for health
Normal blood glucose levels range from 70 to 100 mg/dL. After eating, normal blood glucose levels will most of the time be below 125 mg/dL. A person with Type II Diabetes should monitor their blood sugar levels depending on the type of medication you take. If you take insulin, you are recommended to test your blood sugar levels at least 2 or more times a day, before meals and sometimes before you go to sleep.
Your exercise regime
Set attainable goals
Join an exercise class to make it more fun and social
Change one behavior at a time
Connect with a mentor
Biomedical Professions
Certified Diabetic Educator: CDEs will educate diabetic patients about their disease, help manage diabetes, and also prevent diabetes for prediabetes patients.
Nutritionist/dietician: Your doctor may recommend a dietician to help you develop a healthy diet that will take in account your food preferences, schedule, and nutrition requirements.
Endocrinologist: Endocrinology is the study of endocrine organs, or organs that may cause hormone imbalance. Endocrinologists will help you manage your diet, prescribe medication, and also help you keep watch of your blood glucose levels.