Preventing Diabetes

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Preventing Diabetes

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diabetes prevention Diabetes is a serious, permanent condition that affects the body's ability to use sugar properly. People with diabetes either can't produce or can't respond to insulin, a hormone that allows glucose (sugar) to enter the individual cells of the body. It is estimated that diabetes affects nearly two million Canadians. Many more people may be ignoring symptoms that they should see the doctor about.

Identifying the Disease
There are two types of diabetes:

Type I, Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) is traditionally known as juvenile or early-onset diabetes as it usually occurs before the age of 30. This makes up about 10 to 20 per cent of all diabetic cases. People with Type I diabetes must take insulin injection since their bodies fail to produce it.
Type II, Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) is known as adult-onset diabetes and is caused by a decrease in the production of insulin, or cells being resistant to insulin. It usually occurs later in life (after 40 of age) and peaks between 40 and 50. This type of diabetes can sometimes be due to carrying excess weight and makes up approximately 80 to 90 per cent of diabetic cases. If caught early enough, Type II diabetes can be well managed with diet, exercise and in some cases, oral medications instead of insulin injections.

Know the Symptoms
Symptoms of diabetes can vary between people. Some of the common symptoms of diabetes include hunger, thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, tiredness, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet and frequent infections. See your doctor for a simple blood sugar test if you suspect you have diabetes. If you have a family history of the disease and are over age 60, you may have a higher risk.

In contrast to common belief, eating too much sugar does not necessarily cause diabetes. Some of the contributing factors include being overweight or many years of inconsistent eating such as regularly leaving more than four hours between meals, missing meals, eating poorly on the run or frequently over eating. Excessive alcohol intake and even excessive exercise without eating properly may also be a factor.

Preventing Diabetes
The prevention of diabetes therefore lies in recognizing the potential triggers and avoiding them. One of the best things you can do is exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight. This doesn't mean you must strive to be skinny but try to reduce excess body fat. Make it a priority to eat three meals with a snack between each meal throughout the day. Listen for your body's natural hunger and fullness cues and try to respond appropriately. Stop eating when you're full, not stuffed, and try to reduce the simple sugars in your diet.

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