Diabetes Diet Information FAQ
Diabetes Diet Information Guide - FAQ about  diabetes, diabetic diet plan, diabetes diagnosis, diabetic symptoms, diabetes management, diabetes self care and  diabetes diet recipes

Diabetes Information FAQ

Diabetes Frequently Asked Questions

Diabetes Information guide on FAQ about diabetes, diabetic diet plan, diabetes symptoms and risk, diabetes treatment, diabetes management, diabetes self care, diet and good nutrition.

1. What are the symptoms of diabetes?
2. Suggestions to reduce the risk of diabetes?
3. Is age a factor in acquiring diabetes?
4. If the family has a history of diabetes, am I at risk?
5. Do fat people have a higher risk of getting diabetes than thin people?
6. Should all diabetics observe a strict diabetic diet plan?
7. Can diabetes be controlled and can you recover from it?
8. Why should diabetes be treated?
9. How is diabetes treated? 
10. Is there any way to prevent a diabetes patient's condition from getting any worse?
11. Can a couple with diabetes conceive?  Would there be any complications?
12. Does diabetes affect pregnancy? If so how?
13. What is the latest and most effective drug for diabetes?

1.  What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Some of the symptoms are thirst, passing lots of urine, a sudden drop in weight, a urinary tract infection and tiredness.  When in doubt, please go see a doctor.

2.  Suggestions to reduce the risk of diabetes?

The safest and most obvious way is still regular exercise, which can reduce your risk by about 60%, as well as controlling your diet to avoid fatty foods.  Healthy eating is important to keep diabetes at bay.

3.  Is age a factor in acquiring diabetes?

Age is not a primary factor.  It is due to lifestyle and genetics.  If you don't exercise regularly, and eat large amounts of unhealthy foods such as animal-based fats, fried food, sweets and sugary foods and gain lot of weight you can get diabetes.  

Statistically it tends to happen in middle age when people eat as much as they used to, yet lead a more sedentary lifestyle.

4.  If the family has a history of diabetes, am I at risk?

Yes.  If any of your parents have or had diabetes, the risk of you acquiring diabetes increases by two to three times.

5.  Do fat people have a higher risk of getting diabetes than thin people?

Yes, very much so compared to someone similarly thin.  If there is a family history of diabetes, a person regardless of his or her size would have two to three times higher chance of getting diabetes.

6.  Should all diabetics observe a diabetic diet plan ?

All diabetics should observe a healthy diabetic diet plan.  Indiscreet eating habits would negate whatever medication either tablet or insulin therapy the patient is on.  

7.   Can diabetes be controlled and can you recover from it?

Diabetes can indeed be controlled, but there is no cure for it yet.

8.  Why should diabetes be treated?

Diabetes should be treated for both immediate and long term benefits. Untreated it can affect your quality of life and endanger you greatly.

Without proper diabetes treatment, management and care it can lead to blindness, heart attacks, stroke kidney failure, decreased blood flow in the legs and decrease sensation in the feet due to destruction of sensory nerves

9.  How is diabetes treated?

Healthy diabetic diet, exercise,  together with medication is the key to good diabetes management and diabetes care.  

10.   Is there any way to prevent a diabetes patient's condition from getting any worse? 

Controlling your diet, regular exercise and taking your medication regularly are all steps you can take to prevent the situation from getting worse.

11.  Can a couple with diabetes conceive?  Would there be any complications?

Yes.  If the diabetes is properly controlled and monitored, there should be no complications.

12.  Does diabetes affect pregnancy? If so how?

Diabetes can indeed affect pregnancy.  It can affect the baby's development.  They may end up heavier than normal and the risk of premature birth is higher.

Some women may acquire what is known as Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy, which is controllable with insulin injections, which goes away after birth.  

A woman should be tested after conceiving just to be safe.

13.  What is the latest and most effective drug for diabetes?

There are many drugs available.  The functions are variable for each drug and often selected by a doctor based on the patient's condition.  There is no single, '"most effective' drug.