Health Today Philippines

Everything You Need to Know About Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. Your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it makes.
The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into your cells to be stored or used for energy. If this malfunctions, you may have diabetes.
Untreated high blood sugar from diabetes can damage your nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs. But educating yourself about diabetes and taking steps to prevent or manage it can help you protect your health.
Types of diabetes
There are a few different types of diabetes:
- Type 1: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas, where insulin is made. It’s unclear what causes this attack.
- Type 2: Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin, and sugar builds up in your blood. It’s the most common type—about 90% to 95%Trusted Source of people living with diabetes have type 2.
- Type 1.5: Type 1.5 diabetes is also known as latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). It occurs during adulthood and sets in gradually like type 2 diabetes. LADA is an autoimmune disease that cannot be treated by diet or lifestyle.
- Gestational: Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar during pregnancy. Insulin-blocking hormones produced by the placenta cause this type of diabetes.
A rare condition called diabetes insipidus is not related to diabetes mellitus, although it has a similar name. It’s a different condition in which your kidneys remove too much fluid from your body.
Each type of diabetes has unique symptoms, causes, and treatments.

The Proper Type 2 Diabetes Diet: Recommended Foods When Diagnosed With Diabetes
Type II diabetes is usually found in people over the age of 40. It is a disease that makes it difficult for the body to convert glucose into energy, affecting the normal functioning of the human body. Below you'll learn about the most common type II diabetes symptoms, and what the recommended type 2 diabetes diet is for individuals with diabetes.
Common Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes
Here are some of the most common signs that a person has type II diabetes, and may need to consult a specialist, who in turn will give prescriptions and instructions on the type 2 diabetes diet that is best for the patient:
• Weight gain
• Frequent thirst and frequent hunger
• Blurred vision
• Poor healing of wounds and cuts
• Frequent fatigue
Right Diet For Diabetics
People who have diabetes and are experiencing symptoms of type II diabetes must take medicines e.g. Insulin shots or insulin pills, as well as follow a strict type 2 diabetes diet. The following are the recommended food/food items that you should take if you are diagnosed with diabetes:
• Foods rich in fiber are really recommended for type 2 diabetes patients. Why? Fiber actually helps in controlling the rise in blood sugar levels, thus, beneficial for people with the above-mentioned condition. Therefore, diet for type 2 diabetes should never include the absence of foods like oatmeal, fresh fruits, oat bran, beans, etc., as they contain a huge amount of fiber.
• People with symptoms of type II diabetes are also advised to eat healthy snacks daily such as crackers, fruit, pretzels and other foods that are low in fat and rich in protein. These types of snacks help people with diabetes to get better control over their disease.
• Your diabetes type 2 diets should also include fresh or steamed vegetables as they are known to be low in both fat and cholesterol. Vegetables recommended to eat include carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, etc. Fruits should also be included in your type 2 diabetes diet, especially citrus fruits such as tomatoes, watermelon, peaches, oranges, and the like, as they are rich in vitamins A and C for individuals with symptoms of type II diabetes has proved beneficial.
• You should also be aware of the importance of eating breakfast when you have type 2 diabetes. After all, it is the most important food, and should be healthy – meaning your breakfast should always contain fiber, protein and carbohydrates. Fruits and vegetables usually contain all of these, so never forget to include them in breakfast dishes.
• In addition to taking your doctor's prescribed medications and following a type 2 diabetes diet, remember that you also need to exercise regularly and lead a healthy lifestyle. Don't smoke, avoid drinking alcohol, etc.
Being diagnosed with diabetes and experiencing the symptoms of type II diabetes can be really challenging. You can cope with your illness, however, once you take the type 2 diabetes diets seriously, and once you follow your doctor's prescription and advice to the letter.

DID YOU KNOW THAT SMOKING CAN CAUSE TYPE 2 DIABETES ?
- Smokers are 30 to 40 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than nonsmokers because high levels of ni****ne can lessen the effectiveness of insulin, causing smokers to need more insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.
- There are several ways in which smoking may increase a person’s risk for developing type 2 diabetes:
+ The chemicals in ci******es cause harm to your body’s cells and can interfere with their normal function which decrease the effectiveness of insulin.
+ When the chemicals from the cigarette smoke meet oxygen in the body, this process can cause cell damage.
- Quitting ci******es before you develop serious diseases like diabetes helps to safeguard your health. But if you have type 2 diabetes and you smoke, it is not too late to quit smoking. By doing so, it may be easier to manage your diabetes.

5 exercises to effectively lower blood sugar
1. Walking
Walking is one of the light and healthy exercises for diabetics, especially people with type 2 diabetes. Patients only need to prepare a pair of sports shoes to exercise. Walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes a day will help people meet their recommended goal of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise for diabetes health.
2. Jogging
Jogging helps improve the body's sensitivity to insulin (especially beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes to fight insulin resistance), strengthen resistance, and lose weight. When running for longer than 60 minutes, there is a risk of hypoglycemia. As a precaution, people should carry glucose tablets or sugary drinks. In addition, patients should inform relatives or bring relevant medical documents or have a running companion.
If the person has blood sugar levels that are too high in the first place, dehydration can occur, especially in hot weather. Therefore, it is necessary to check blood sugar at a stable level of about 7-10 (mmol/l) before starting to run.
3. Yoga
Diabetics practice yoga to help reduce stress and control disease. If stress levels are high, blood sugar levels will rise as well. Therefore, people with diabetes should practice yoga to help relax their mind, reduce symptoms of depression in adults with type 2 diabetes. Patients can practice yoga as many times as possible.
4. Swimming
Swimming is a good exercise for people with type 2 diabetes, without putting pressure on the joints in the body. Swimming reduces stress on the body more than walking or jogging. According to the American Diabetes Association, type 2 diabetes leads to leg complications and neurological disease. People with diabetic neuropathy who may lose sensation in their feet should purchase waterproof shoes to protect their feet before starting to swim.
5. Cycling
Cycling helps burn excess calories, strengthens the heart, and makes the lungs work better. Diabetics should cycle several times a week as a means of transport will also help reduce the risk of obesity, high blood pressure.