| Two types of diabetes are known. Type 1 is observed when the human body does not make insulin at all. People with type 2 either are deficient in insulin, or their cells disregard the insulin their body makes. About 95% of people with diabetes suffer from type 2 diabetes. It is differently called "non-insulin dependent" or "adult-onset" diabetes. If untreated, diabetes can result in blindness, nerve damage and vascular disorders that leads to foot or leg amputation, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and death.
BE WELL-AWARE OF RISK FACTORS
You are at high risk of type 2 diabetes, if it runs in your family. Type 2 diabetes is more often observed in ethnic minority groups. If the baby you gave birth to weighed more than 9 pounds and/or if you had gestational diabetes when you were pregnant, you are also likely to develop diabetes. 45-year-olds and older are in the risk group as well.
If you are in the risk group, your physician may want to start regular diabetes examination. The earlier you find out you have diabetes, the more you and your doctor can do to insure you stay healthy.
CHANGES ARE TO BE DONE
Unfortunately, you can do nothing to change your age, ethnicity or family history, but there are a few factors you can control. Your diabetes risk also increases, if you are overweight, you do not exercise on a regular basis and/or you have an unhealthy diet.
If you know you are at high risk, making appropriate choices about nutrition and exercise can help you stay healthy. Studies have displayed that being on a nutritious diet and exercising can preclude or delay type 2 diabetes.
If you are obese, note that an undue weight gain is the single most crucial risk factor for type 2 diabetes. According to the recent studies, 80%- 90% of people with diabetes are fat. Losing weight and getting it off can help keep diabetes at bay. Consume a variety of products, including those containing a lot of fiber. Also, watch your portion.
Keep in mind that any amount of physical activity is much better than none. Ride an exercise bike while you watch the evening news program or your favorite sitcom. Most of all, ensure you take up an activity are fond of, so you will stick with it.
Hence, eating right and doing exercise are the keys to attaining and sustaining a healthy weight. |
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