Diabetes is a life-threatening condition but can be managed with the right treatment and lifestyle changes. Diabetes can cause a number of health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, eye problems, nerve damage and foot problems. Regular medical check-ups, healthy lifestyle choices and constant monitoring of blood sugar levels are important to prevent these complications.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs as a result of the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the body becoming resistant to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that allows glucose to enter cells and be used as energy. High blood sugar levels can lead to many health problems.
What causes diabetes?
Diabetes generally occurs in two main types: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when insulin production stops as a result of the immune system attacking the beta cells in the body’s pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is associated with the body’s inability to use insulin effectively or produce enough insulin and is often associated with lifestyle factors.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Symptoms of diabetes can often vary depending on the type and severity of elevated blood sugar levels. Symptoms of diabetes are as follows:
- frequent urination
- excessive thirst
- extreme hunger
- weight loss
- Tiredness
- blurred vision
- Numbness or tingling
- slow healing wounds
How is diabetes treated?
Diabetes treatment varies depending on the type and the patient’s general health condition. For type 1 diabetes, daily insulin injections or use of an insulin pump are common treatments. For type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes (healthy diet, regular exercise), oral medications and insulin therapy are commonly used. The answer to the question of how to cure diabetes is as follows:
- Eat regularly.
- Consume foods from different food groups at each meal.
- Pay attention to portion control.
- Read labels and check sugar and fat content.
- Exercise regularly.
- Quit smoking.
- Create a nutrition plan that suits you with your doctor or dietitian.
What should diabetics eat?
Nutrition plays an important role in diabetes management. If you have diabetes, you need to follow a diet plan that will help you control your blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications. General nutritional recommendations for diabetics are:
- Limit or eliminate foods such as white bread, white rice, white pasta, cakes, cookies, and sugary drinks.
- Fibrous vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots and cucumber; Eat fruits such as apples, oranges, pears, strawberries, grapes, kiwis
- Choose lean protein sources such as chicken, turkey, fish, tuna, beans, lentils, chickpeas and tofu.
- Avoid fatty meats and processed meats such as red meat, sausage, salami and bacon.
- Choose unsaturated fats such as olive oil
- Avoid butter, margarine, fried foods and packaged foods
- Choose low-fat or fat-free milk and dairy products, avoid full-fat dairy products.
- Drink water and unsweetened beverages, avoid sugary drinks, sodas and fruit juices.