Diabetes and lifestyle

Q	How do I lose weight?
A	First make sure what your desirable body weight should be. Set small, achievable and realistic short-term targets. You need proper meal planning and a strong will and desire to achieve what you have set out to do. Don't forget reducing food intake is not the only way it should be accompanied by regular physical exercise. You must first undergo medical consultation and nutrition counselling in order to decide that weight loss is desirable, and formulate a practical plan that is possible to achieve. Patience is required whenever weight loss is attempted because though crash diets can result in rapid weight loss within the first few weeks, they often cause nutritional imbalances that weaken the body constitution. Often it results in rapidly regaining the lost weight because the person cannot continue the diet and eats more food than required after stopping the diet. So you must first prepare yourself mentally for losing weight, ensure that the weight reduction plan is practical, patiently follow the nutrition counsellor's advice and continue the program as long as required. It is also essential to follow a healthy lifestyle and food pattern after weight loss is achieved because otherwise there will be a quick regaining of lost weight, and all the effort will have been in vain. Remember Rome wasn't built in a day!! It is absolutely essential to be disciplined and patient while trying to reduce weight.	Top
Q	What are the various alterations I should do in my lifestyle if I have diabetes?
A	The major lifestyle alterations usually advised in persons with diabetes are: Relief of stress by relaxation exercises or yoga Increased physical activity Stop smoking and tobacco consumption in any form Stop alcohol consumption or limiting it to small quantities Eating at regular intervals, and in proper quantities and composition that ensures a balanced intake of all nutrients Drastically reduce intake of saturated fats and simple sugars Weight reduction if you are overweight	Top
Q	What should be the lifestyle of a person with diabetes?
A	A person with diabetes must lead a healthy lifestyle. On other words he should: Eat a healthy diet Exercise regularly Avoid or reduce stress by relaxation exercises or yoga Stop smoking and tobacco consumption in any form Stop alcohol consumption or limit it to small quantities Reduce weight if overweight	Top
Q	Can a person with diabetes lead a normal healthy life?
A	A person with diabetes can lead a normal healthy life, if his diabetes is well under control. This can be achieved by closely following the advise of the doctor, balancing the diet, medication and exercise, reducing stress and having a positive outlook to life. Certain occupations though are not advisable for persons with diabetes like being a pilot, armed forces, deep sea diving and working on a ship.	Top
Q	What should I do to avoid (prevent) being a diabetic?
A	Diabetes cannot be prevented in all cases particularly if one has a very strong family history, but the common type of diabetes - Type 2 diabetes -- may be prevented or delayed by proper diet which is low fat and high fibre foods, avoidance of excessive weight gain, regular physical exercise, and avoidance of aggravating factors such as smoking and stressful lifestyle. Unnecessary worry can lead to earlier development of diabetes as well as several other diseases like heart disease. Most important is to learn to reduce stress.	Top
Q	What are the precautions, which I should take if I have diabetes?
A	The precautions you are advised depend on the type of diabetes you have. In Type 1 diabetes, which usually occurs in younger persons and where insulin is the only treatment that works, you must always take insulin as directed by your doctor. Your doctor will educate you about how to alter insulin doses according to your blood glucose levels that should be monitored at regular intervals; and how to guard against the occurrence of 'low blood glucose'. Your doctor will also inform you about how to recognise and treat low blood glucose yourself. Your immediate family members and office colleagues / schoolmates are also required to know how to help you whenever you have low blood glucose. You should always carry a card identifying that you have Type 1 diabetes, name and phone number of persons to be contacted in an emergency e.g. when you are unconscious - viz. your doctor and your family members. In Type2 diabetes, which generally occurs at an older age, diet and oral drugs work well in the initial stages. However after some time [5-10 years later] many oral drugs stop working and you may require insulin injections. You should visit your doctor regularly and get your blood glucose checked at regular intervals as advised by your doctor so that you can achieve good blood glucose control. You must follow the diet advice given and restrict consumption of highly refined carbohydrates such as sugar and sweets [except in emergencies like low blood sugar] and high fat and high saturated fat foods like butter, ghee (rarefied butter), cream and fried foods. Your blood pressure must be checked and controlled if it is high. Your blood fat levels may also need to be checked on the advise of your doctor who will order the test at the appropriate time.	Top
Q	Which drugs should a person with diabetes avoid?
A	Persons with diabetes should avoid all drugs that raise the blood sugar levels or inhibit the symptoms of hypoglycemia from appearing.	Top
Q	If I have diabetes, should I tell all around me about the disease? Why/ why not?
A	This is an individual decision. In general the best course of action is neither to advertise your disease, nor to deny it altogether. Your doctor will obviously know, it is necessary to keep most of your adult family members informed, your close friends will also know, as those of your office or business colleagues who can be trusted not to misuse the information. Your employer should ideally know about it because you may be able to get more medical insurance, and more suitable task assignments. In some jobs it may be dangerous for a person with diabetes, especially Type1 diabetes to be employed e.g. flying a plane or operating heavy machinery because the risk of fainting due to low blood glucose will put other persons at risk. Many people are worried that they or their children will suffer in their marriage if it is known that someone in the family has diabetes. But denial is not the way to handle ignorance. Ideally in such sensitive situations one should inform, and neither overstress nor underplay the fact that a person has diabetes	Top
Q	What are the various risks I am at if I have diabetes?
A	Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the blood glucose levels become higher than normal because of reduced quantities of a hormone called insulin, which is essential for proper utilisation of glucose. Glucose is a 'fuel', which is burnt in the body to provide energy for our daily activities. When the level of this 'fuel' exceeds the normal levels it starts acting as a poison and harms almost all cells of the body. The major effect is on the fine blood vessels, and several enzymes in the cells (biochemical proteins); that are essential for supplying blood and carrying out normal tissue processes respectively. Uncontrolled or improperly controlled diabetes can give rise to heart disease, eye disease, kidney disease, and degeneration of nerve fibres.	Top
Q	What should I do if I am detected with diabetes?
A	If you are diagnosed as having diabetes, you should seek expert medical advice. Your doctor will educate you about the nature of the disease and its treatment. Depending on the type of diabetes and the current blood glucose level the treatment will be started. For the more common Type 2 diabetes with no complications and moderately elevated blood sugar, the doctor will most likely initially try out treatment with diet control and suitable physical exercise aimed at normalising your body weight, and improving your insulin action. If this does not work he may then prescribe a medication to reduce blood glucose. You will then be required to follow the doctor's advice and get your blood glucose checked at the intervals specified. This will help you understand how well your diabetes responds to diet, exercise and the medication; and permit your doctor to advise further changes in the treatment. Once the condition stabilises the treatment is continued with regular monitoring of blood glucose. Your doctor may also order some tests to detect whether or not you have any complication e.g. heart disease, eye disease or kidney disease, so that additional treatment and advice can be provided. You should follow your doctor's advice in the matter.	Top