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Author:
Renee Kennedy

Diabetes is a disease where the body cannot properly
produce or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that turns
the foods you eat into energy. If your body cannot turn
food into energy, not only will your cells be starved for
energy, you will also build up glucose (sugar) in your
blood. This will lead you to have "high blood glucose
levels." Over years, the high blood glucose level can
damage major organs like your heart, eyes, and kidneys.

Types of Diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes is caused by a total lack of insulin that,
in turn, produces high blood glucose levels. Type 1 is
most often is seen in children, but can develop in adults.
If you have Type 1, your health care provider might
recommend scheduled, nutritious meals, exercise,
medication, and frequent blood sugar level tests.

Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body does not
produce enough insulin or cannot properly use insulin.
This is the most common type. The treatment may be
similar to Type 1.

Pre Diabetes or Borderline Diabetes may occur
before a Type 2 diagnosis. Blood glucose levels will
be higher than normal. Good nutrition and exercise
may be recommended by your health care provider as
treatment for pre diabetes. Even a slightly high blood
sugar level is insidious and could affect major organs
over time.

Gestational Diabetes occurs in pregnant women that have
high blood glucose levels. This type of Diabetes can harm
both Mother and baby. If you have Gestational Diabetes,
your health care provider may prescribe meal plans,
exercise, daily testing and medicine.

Risk Factors:

The exact causes of Diabetes are still unknown. However,
heredity, obesity and lack of exercise may play a role.
Here are some general risk factors:

1. Your siblings or parents have diabetes.
2. You are more than 20% overweight.
3. You do not exercise.
4. You have had gestational diabetes or you have had a
baby over 9 lbs.
5. You have high blood pressure.
6. Your cholesterol level is not normal.

How to care for you Diabetes:

According to the American Diabetes Association, people
with Diabetes have the same nutritional needs as everyone
else. In addition to prescribed medications, well-balanced
meals may help you keep your blood glucose level as normal
as possible.

Also, just like everyone else, exercise is an important part
of staying healthy. Exercising with diabetes does require a few
extra safety steps that your health care professional can make
you aware of.

Nutritious meals, an exercise routine, and using your
NutriCounter along with the help of your doctor may aid you
in controlling your Diabetes. Diabetes will never truly go away,
but with proper nutrition, exercise and prescribed medications,
it can be controlled.

For more information on specific exercise and eating advice
for diabetics, see the following web sites:

American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org

Canadian Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_Main/welcome.asp

Online Risk Test
http://www.diabetes.org/main/info/risk/risktest.jsp

Excellent article about Borderline Diabetes
http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/borderline.asp

Am I at risk for Type 2 Diabetes?
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/pubs/risk/risk.htm

Safety Tips for Exercising with Diabetes
http://www.diabetes.org/main/health/exercise/safety/25ways.jsp

About the Author
Come and visit the NutriCounter web site for more information on how nutrition influences weight loss, diabetes, pregnancy, heart disease and more! http://www.nutricounter.com

| Article Keywords: Diabetes

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Diabetes... Type 1 Diabetes Treatments Type 1 diabetes is a condition that typically affects individuals under the age of 40. Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes does not have a specific known cause. Typically, the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes occurs around the age of 14, although it is certainly capable of affecting younger children. If you or your child has been diagnosed with this disease, know the options for type 1 diabetes treatments in order to ensure that he or she is getting the best care possible. Furthermore, since type 1 diabetes is typically considered more serious than type 2 diabetes, it is important that everyone around the patient is informed of the correct actions to take should problems or complications occur with his or her condition. What Causes Type 1 Diabetes? Currently, there is no specific known cause that is thought to trigger type 1 diabetes in individuals. It is believed that type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, where the body begins to attack itself, however the reason or the cause is still unknown. Many individuals suffering from type 1 diabetes found the condition followed a previous infection, including polio, mumps, and the Epstein-Barr virus. Again, there is speculation of this connection, but no concrete evidence has been found at this time to support this theory. Type 1 Diabetes Treatments Unlike other types of diabetes that can be controlled using eating schedules and dietary changes, type 1 diabetes must be controlled with insulin shots. Furthermore, the blood sugars must be monitored on a regular basis so that any spikes or drops in the concentration of the sugar in the blood can be immediately identified. Insulin is injected on a daily basis into fatty cells under the skin. Using the manner of injection, the body can immediately absorb the...