How Do You Live With Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes, formerly known as non-insulin dependent diabetes, is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, the sugar found in the blood. Glucose comes from the food we eat; insulin is a hormone created by the pancreas to help get glucose delivered to the cells, where it provides energy. Although living with Type 2 Diabetes can be difficult, following a few simple steps will improve your prognosis and quality of life. Eat a healthy diet. This will help you achieve a good weight. Restrict dietary fat and salt. It is not unusual for people with Type 2 Diabetes to have high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If this is the case, restrict your intake of fats (for cholesterol) and salt (for blood pressure). Exercise regularly. This will increase your body’s response to insulin and help you maintain a good weight. Monitor your blood sugar. Your doctor will tell you how often to test yourself. The latest meters use very small amounts of blood and are very compact. See your doc
