Diabetes Information: Type 2
By: Monse Campos ABS 8
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Dietary Recommendations:
In most cases, doctors recommend that diabetics consume a variety of health options that include:
- Vegetables
- Lean Meats
- Fruits
- Non-Fat dairy products
- Whole Grains
Even though these are some of the most recommended foods for diabetics, it wont help manage their blood sugar and cholesterol if they do not consume the appropriate amounts for their body type.
Blood Sugar Monitoring
Blood Sugar monitoring is an important part of a diabetic's life. It allows the diabetic to check up on their blood sugar levels. Doctors recommend testing the blood more than once a day. It is commonly done before meals and every eight hours. In order to conduct a test, you need a glucose meter and a testing strip. Here are the instructions:
- Wash hands
- Prick a finger using a lancing device or small needle
- Squeeze a drop of the blood on a testing strip
- Insert the testing strip into the glucose device
- Wait for results
In order for the diabetic to know at what levels their blood should be, they need to know their target range. Their target range should be based on their age, diabetes complications, and overall health.
Excersise Recommendations:
A way for diabetics to balance their diabetes is by exercising. A way to stay motivated while doing this is by setting personal goals. Things to consider when making goals is what activities will be done, will there be time to do that activity, and is it possible to do in your life?
The recommended activities for diabetics are:
- Aerobics
- Flexibility exercises
- strength training
- balance exercises
Exercising requires blood sugar to turn into energy. In other words, your body is using up the glucose that is in your blood stream which is a good thing because it lowers your blood sugar levels and, helps it get back to a balanced state.
Doctor Recommendations:
There are several specialized doctors that can help with Diabetes and the symptoms. Here are some recommendations:
- Nutrionist: A nutritionist may help with balancing blood sugar levels and setting up am effective dietary plan.
- Podiatrist: A podiatrist can help with diabetic symptoms that include pain in legs and feet, and swelling of the ankles.
- Endocrinologist: An Endocrinologist can help with prescribing insulin intakes to help maintain hormonal balance in the body.
- Debra-Jones Hilliard RD LD
1600 Airport Fwy Bedford, TX 76022
(817) 858-9388
Nutritionist
Peter B. Wood, DPM
3600 Gaston Ave Dallas, TX 75246
(214) 824-7100
Podiatrist
Nelson Sarah MD
1325 Pennsylvania Ave #560 Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 820-2890
Endocrinologist
Citations:
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Living With Diabetes: American Diabetes Association®. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/?loc=lwd-slabnav
American Podiatric Medical Association. (n.d.). Diabetes Awareness | Learn About Feet | APMA. Retrieved from http://www.apma.org/Learn/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1405
Benefis Health System. (n.d.). Diabetes/Endocrinology | Main. Retrieved from http://www.benefis.org/Main/DiabetesEndocrinology.aspx
Health Media Ventures. (n.d.). Doctors and Other Health-Care Support|3 Things Dietitians Can Do to Help You Control Diabetes - Type 2 Diabetes - Health.com. Retrieved from http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20188347,00.html