WORDS BY: LOU E. ALBANO
November 13, 2009 | 1567 views
How dangerous is Diabetes?
If blood-sugar level is not monitored or managed, complications and the possibility of long-term damage to the body and even failure of various organs and tissues arise.
Among the complications watched out for are Cardiovascular diseases that may cause fatal worries like coronary heart disease and stroke; Kidney diseases, which may result in total kidney failure and may require the not-too-pretty experience that is dialysis or even kidney transplants; Nerve diseases, which can ultimately to ulceration and amputation of toes, feet, and the entire lower limbs; and Eye diseases which lead to blindness.
Who are at risk?
Well, there is not telling for type 1, because kids just suddenly get them. Type 2 is more tricky because that’s where your lifestyle plays a major role.
While genetics play a big part—if your relatives have Diabetes, you may want to lead a healthy lifestyle to prevent yours from developing—people leading a sedentary lifestyle, or on an unhealthy diet (soda morning noon and night, for instance), the obese, and those with high blood pressure and high cholesterol are among those at risk.
How can you prevent it then?
You can start with a healthy diet. You don’t have to say goodbye to good ol’ kanin. You don’t even have to skip meals (this can cause blood-sugar fluctuations). Cut down on the usual suspects: salt, simple sugars, alcohol.
Lead a more active lifestyle. You don’t have to enroll in a gym (thought that is an awesome option). You only have to be more active—if you can take the stairs instead of the elevator, why don’t you? If you can walk instead of hailing a cab, why not, right? A 30-minute walk each day is great! A little work out session three times a week is even better.
If you know you’re somewhere around obesity, start controlling your weight. And since you’re in the health zone, you may want to start thinking about quitting smoking, too.
