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Lifestyle Changes for Diabetics

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Author: Adem

When you or your child is diagnosed with diabetes — Type 1 OR Type 2 — some changes must be made. You can't just carry on as though nothing had happened, because something HAS happened; and that something means that you are going to have to make some dietary adjustments as well as some lifestyle adjustments.

Diabetes should never be allowed to define who you are, but it must NOT be ignored, either. Ignoring diabetes and going on about life as though it didn't exist will shorten life expectancy drastically.

Those who are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes are usually children or young adults. They are most often hospitalized so that insulin injections can be adjusted. They and their families are instructed in the use of a glucose meter and test strips. Glucose testing is demonstrated and the patient and his family are instructed on the required frequency of testing.

Diet is discussed at length. Calories are explained as are carbohydrates as they relate to the Type 1 diabetics need for insulin.

Those who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes don't get the same attention. Most of those who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are over 40 years old. They are usually obese, and they most often live a very sedentary lifestyle. They are told to lose weight and exercise. Sometimes they are also given an oral medication. Too often, however, they are not referred to a nutritionist or a dietician. They're simply given a diet to follow and not a great deal more information. Rarely are they taught to use a blood glucose meter, but they should be.

Type 2 diabetes, left untreated and uncontrolled, can shorten a person's life just like Type 1 diabetes. Those who are afflicted with Type 2 diabetes face the same possible complications of diabetes as those who have Type 1.









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