Managing Diabetes is Within Your Control

If you have been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes you may be feeling a little overwhelmed and not in control. But once you realize that managing diabetes is completely within your control you will feel so much more relaxed and able to reduce your risk of complications.

Of course being mindful of what you are putting into your body is of the highest concern as is taking your diabetes medication but you also need to check with your physician about what exercise program you can begin. If you aren’t exercising at all you are removing one of the surest means to help manage your diabetes.

If exercise is new to you, you will want to begin slowly. Starting an exercise program doesn’t mean you need to run out and join a gym, buy all the accoutrements and sign up to run a marathon. Even the smallest activity will put you on the road to managing your disease.

 If you do some morning stretches and take a small walk daily you will be making a great improvement. If there is work to be done around the yard such as raking leaves or weeding in the garden, this will keep you active and give you more energy. If your car needs to be washed or the dog needs to be walked, you will begin to feel better. Other ways to start small would be to park at the end of the parking lot and walk a little further to the store, walk every aisle even though it is not required. If you have a job during the day, take a walk with co-workers or make this a time to do errands. And of course, take the stairs instead of the elevator.

All these seemingly small exercises will ultimately burn calories and have you feeling better. And the better you begin to feel the quicker you will see results and you will be in control.

 As with any exercise program, please check with your doctor

 

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Vision?

If you are diagnosed with type II diabetes and continue your lifestyle as is then there is a huge chance of becoming legally blind. Type II diabetes can be controlled by diet and exercise while maintaining normal levels of blood pressure, blood glucose, etc. Even if you are controlling your Type II very well, you should have normal checkups because blindness is not the only vision problem that one can contract. Diabetes can also lead to a higher risk of cataracts, retina damage and changes in the eye’s tissue. You should advise your optometrist about your type II diabetes so that he or she can specifically look out for these vision problems.

If you have gone undiagnosed and go to the doctor with blurred vision and a temporary paralysis of the eye muscles, many optometrists will recommend taking a blood test to see if one has Type II diabetes. As more glucose runs through your body the more likely it is that you will have vision problems. By carefully monitoring your glucose levels you may be able to avoid this. By maintaining a healthy diet and work out routine you will be lowering your glucose making it easier to monitor and maintain.

You should then have regular vision checkups if you have already been diagnosed with type II diabetes. The early the optometrist can detect a vision problem the better as it can be treated and it will be a good wake up call to keep your diabetes diet plan on track. Most people can control this so there should not be major concerns. However, if you do not follow these simple recommendations then your chances of losing your vision can increase drastically.

Diabetes and Weight: How do they connect?

Type II diabetes is a form of diabetes that is normally controlled by eating well. It has been proved that there are strong links between obesity and the high risk of being diagnosed with type II diabetes. Although this form of diabetes can occur in any person, there is a higher probability of people with obesity to have diabetes. More so, children who grow up obese normally are diagnosed with Type II diabetes which is normally only diagnosed in older at least middle age folks.

Nevertheless, this type of diabetes can be controlled with discipline through the use of diet and exercise. There are many symptoms of this type of diabetes which include frequent urination onset by high levels of thirst while also suffering from dry and irritated skin. However, some people fail to show these signs and go undiagnosed for much longer. Basically the body has lost the control to use the body’s insulin or there is not enough insulin being made.

Those diagnosed with Type II should consult a doctor and a nutritionist who will work out a healthy diet plan to help control diabetes from progressing. Some commonly changed diets include the following: changing dairy products for soy, choosing fat free products, switching your carbs to whole grain carbs such as whole wheat pasta and brown rice, more fruit and veggies including broccoli, green beans and spinach. You should also avoid processed and refined sugars. The more natural your diet the better. If you are craving sweets try your best to eat fruits while you can also eat sugar free cookies and such but should best be avoided for other cancerous risks.

If you have a well planned out diet and stick to it then you will lose weight and you will also prevent your diabetes from progressing to another stage.