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Healthy Diet Plans >>  Health Issues and Diet >>  Diabetes

Diabetes Symptoms and Signs


Diabetes is a degenerative disease that is relatively common today. It affects the levels of blood glucose, also referred to, as blood sugar, in the body. It is a chronic condition that cannot be cured, only controlled. However, people who are suffering from diabetes can lead a long, healthy and happy life, by taking care of their diet, lifestyles and levels of physical activity. Diabetes can be divided into two types, i.e. diabetes type 1 and diabetes type 2. Women tend to be at a higher risk of being affected by health conditions such as diabetes and therefore, it is important for them to know what the various diabetes symptoms in women are.


Fortunately, the diabetes symptoms in women are not very different from the common diabetes symptoms in men, which may include:
  • Dehydration or lack of water, as the body eliminates large amounts of water every few hours, because of excessive urination.
  • Emotional problems like agitation, irritability, probably caused by fatigue
  • Frequent urge to urinate, as the body tries to get rid of excess sugar in the form of urine
  • Infections occurring in various parts of the body, especially the skin. One of the diabetes symptoms in women includes vaginal infections.
  • Polyphagia or excessive eating, which is one of the several diabetes symptoms type 2 seen in people. Increase of insulin causes the appetite to rise, because of which people may eat more than normal.
  • Sexual dysfunctions, evident in both men and women
  • Unexplained weight loss, in spite of following a normal, healthy diet, which is one of the first diabetes symptoms type 1
Unfortunately, diabetes can affect children too and therefore, in order to control the condition as soon as possible, it is important for parents to ensure that they recognize the diabetes symptoms in children, as soon as they occur. Some of the most common diabetes symptoms in children include:
  • Blurred vision
  • Extreme hunger
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent urination, accompanied by increase in thirst
  • Infections
  • Irritability
  • Unusual behavior
  • Weight loss

Diabetes Causes


A lot of information about diabetes disease is available on the internet as well as through literature in libraries and so on. However, many people are not really aware of the exact diabetes causes and the effects the condition could have on the bodyy For example, most people believe that in some instances diabetes causes obesity if the proper diet is not followed; however, few people are aware of the fact that diabetes causes weight loss, as the body cannot utilize the calories present in food and ends up burning fat insteadd However, people who have been diagnosed with diabetes are required to maintain a healthy body weight at all timess People who are overweight are usually asked to walk or engage in physical activity so that they can lose their excess weightt

Since there are many diabetics who develop high blood pressure, most people check with their doctors if diabetes causes hypertension tooo However, there is no scientific evidence to prove that all diabetics are at a high risk of hypertension, in spite of the fact that the health condition occurs more commonly, in diabeticss

People who have a family history of this condition are at a higher risk and therefore they should educate themselves about the various diabetes causes and prevention methodss

Diabetes Treatment


There are several different diabetes treatment options that could be recommended by a health care provider, based on the patient’s health and the severity of the problemm However, since this condition cannot be cured it is important to realize that the main diabetes treatment goals are to control the levels of blood sugar, so that a person can lead a normal lifee Some of the different options in the diabetes treatment plan include:
  • Healthy eating
  • Getting adequate physical activity
  • Monitoring blood sugar regularly
  • Insulin therapy in case of type-1 diabetes
  • Bariatric surgery, for people who have a BMI reading of over 35
  • Oral medication pancreas transplant, in case other options fail
The diabetes treatment guidelines may vary from one patient to the other, based on several different factorss However, it is absolutely essential for all patients to ensure that they follow the diabetes treatment guidelines set by their medical health care provider, to the teee

Diabetes Medications


Based on the type of diabetes a person is suffering from, insulin and diabetes oral medications are integral parts of the treatment processs Type 1 diabetes medications list usually includes Pramlintide, low dose aspirin, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers and statins, among otherss

Unfortunately, there are a few diabetes medications side effects that people should be made aware of, before they are advised to take anyy There are different side effects that have been associated with different medicationn Some of the most common diabetes medications side effects experienced by people include weight gain, low blood sugar, swelling in the ankles, gas, diarrhea, bloating, a metal taste in the mouth, nausea, weakness, fatigue and dizziness, to name a feww One of the side effects of diabetes medications is weight loss tooo

Diabetes Diet


A diabetes diet plan is probably one of the most important factors in the treatment of the condition, as medication or home remedies will not be effective in controlling levels of blood sugar, if eating habits are not rightt In fact, most patients are advised to consult a doctor, as well as a dietician, to get a proper diabetes diet meal plan drafted, which will help control the levels of sugar in the bloodd A diabetes diet plan is also referred to as Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) by many health expertss More information on bananas and diabetes

There are certain foods that are quite healthy and can help control the levels of sugar in the blood, which is why they should be included in a diabetes diet menuu This includes healthy carbs, fiber rich foods, healthy fish and good fatss Similarly, foods that should be avoided, include those that are high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodiumm Given below is a list of the foods that should be eaten on a day of the diabetes diet menu:

Breakfast:

  • 1 Slice of whole wheat bread (toasted), with a teaspoon of margarine
  • ½ Cup oatmeal with ½ cup of skim milk
  • ¼ Cup cottage cheese or tofu or egg substitute
  • ½ Small banana
Lunch:
  • 1 Cup vegetable soup with a few crackers or garden salad
  • 1 Turkey sandwich, with an ounce of turkey, whole wheat bread, low fat mayonnaise and low fat cheese
  • 1 Small apple or half a cup of unsweetened fresh fruit juice
Dinner:
  • Broiled chicken breast with herbs
  • 1 Small whole grain dinner roll
  • ½ Cup cooked brown rice
  • ½ Cup steamed vegetables
Snacks: (not more than two per day)
  • 16 Pieces of fat-free tortilla chips with some salsa
  • 3 Cups of light popcorn, without butter
  • 1 Ounce of string cheese, with a small piece of fruit
  • ½ Cup of chocolate pudding with artificial sweetener (no sugar)
Apart from the foods included in the diet, diabetics should take care to ensure that they eat frequent meals during the dayy All the meals should be eaten on time and skipping any, could be dangerouss
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Submitted on January 16, 2014