Can undiagnosed diabetes pose a threat your health in the long run?
I am 17 and am afraid i have diabetes. Im going to see the docters about it asap. Although, i have had the symptons for some time now. What health problems can arise from diabetes not being properly treated?
in the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions about diet change for a diabetic?
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Diabetes causes Neuropathy — pain in the arms and legs. But OTHER nerves are also affected, so the Neuropathy ALSO affects the eyes, brain, digestion, heart, and sexual organs.
Diabetes causes high blood pressure and high cholesterol. These, working together, cause heart attacks and strokes. High cholesterol is also associated with Alzheimer’s Disease, so Diabetes is linked to ALzheimer’s Disease.
Diabetes causes blindness. Diabetes causes a failure for wounds to heal. Unhealed wounds can become infected, leading to amputations.
And the LONGER you are diabetic, the more likely it is that you will have these other diseases.
In fact, diabetes is often NOT diagnosed until the patient complains about vision problems, sexual problems, or has a heat attack or stroke.
Now, ALL of those other disease have other causes, too. So having chest pains does NOT mean that you are diabetic. But it is VERY important to have a simple blood test done once a year to catch diabetes before it become too serious to handle.
Be SURE that you get a complete physical (including blood work) EVERY YEAR, sometime around your birthday. MAke the gift of good health your own birthday gift to yourself! Make SURE that the doctor does the A1C test, a simple test for diabetes. It IS a blood test, and requires a blood sample, but since you are having a yearly physical, the doctor should ALSO be testing liver and kidney functions, so no big deal.
IF the A1C test says that you have diabetes, then you have caught it early, and SIMPLE change in your lifestyle can prevent it from getting worse. However, wait until you have already had a stoke or heart attack, and being diabetic is the least of your problems.
Diabetic Diet:
NO sugars, avoid sweets, candies, desserts, and canned fruit. No canned fruit juices, sports drinks, energy drinks, or colas. Drink ONLY diet colas, and us4e ONLY artificial sweetener.
Low carbohydrates. Avoid starchy food (rice, corn, potatoes, breads, crackers, gravies, and pastas). Eat more fibers (green leafy vegetables), and add some protein (lean meats, like chicken or fish) for more taste and more "satisfaction").
GET MORE EXERCISE. WALK. Use the stairs, play volleyball, Bicycle. Swim.
Keep your weight NORMAL (ask your doctor what normal for you is).