Type 2 Diabetes - A More Effective Approach
With nearly 25% of the United States diagnosed with diabetes, prediabetes or Syndrome X, the condition is epidemic.
Even more, two out of three diabetics fail to control blood sugar levels, even with medication.
As symptoms aren't usually noticeable for several years, treating the associated complications and remaining healthy becomes more difficult due to their advanced state.
Many of these complications are made worse by behaviors.
Most diabetics fail to regularly track blood levels during the first six months post diagnosis.
Lack of healthy diet and a solid exercise regimen makes the struggle even worse.
It is only after an annual checkup with poor blood sugar levels, and usually after a prescription, that the diabetic realizes the importance of these preventative measures.
This is because the typical response of someone struggling with type 2 diabetes is one of resignation, rather than control, this despite numerous warnings about life-threatening problems.
This response inspires great concern in the medical community, and discussion about what measures are needed to change these attitudes.
Diabetes is associated with a variety of physical, emotional and behavioral risk factors which include obesity, poor self esteem, chronic stress and unhealthy lifestyle choices.
As these factors often detract from effective self-care, which in turn is required to control diabetes, instilling effective habits after the fact is challenging.
Common issues include a desire to please others rather than to care for the self, or a simple lack of regard for the complications.
Even more simply shut down out of fear, which leads to denial and anger, neither of which inspires controlling type 2 diabetes.
If type 2 diabetics strive for a healthier lifestyle, they often don't persist because they lack the support they need.
If they have had trouble keeping their blood sugar levels under control, they get discouraged, that leads to acceptance of the disease, and they quit working on controlling it.
The best approach is a gradual change in lifestyle.
Behavioral changes are important for the newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic to succeed in controlling their disease.
It doesn't always have to be drastic or strict.
It can be a gradual change in eating healthier meals, consuming less refined sugar, exercising, and getting more sleep.
The goal is to enable the patient to make choices that are healthy, fun, and personally motivating.
A support structure must be in place to encourage and recognize successes for the diabetic.
Even more, two out of three diabetics fail to control blood sugar levels, even with medication.
As symptoms aren't usually noticeable for several years, treating the associated complications and remaining healthy becomes more difficult due to their advanced state.
Many of these complications are made worse by behaviors.
Most diabetics fail to regularly track blood levels during the first six months post diagnosis.
Lack of healthy diet and a solid exercise regimen makes the struggle even worse.
It is only after an annual checkup with poor blood sugar levels, and usually after a prescription, that the diabetic realizes the importance of these preventative measures.
This is because the typical response of someone struggling with type 2 diabetes is one of resignation, rather than control, this despite numerous warnings about life-threatening problems.
This response inspires great concern in the medical community, and discussion about what measures are needed to change these attitudes.
Diabetes is associated with a variety of physical, emotional and behavioral risk factors which include obesity, poor self esteem, chronic stress and unhealthy lifestyle choices.
As these factors often detract from effective self-care, which in turn is required to control diabetes, instilling effective habits after the fact is challenging.
Common issues include a desire to please others rather than to care for the self, or a simple lack of regard for the complications.
Even more simply shut down out of fear, which leads to denial and anger, neither of which inspires controlling type 2 diabetes.
If type 2 diabetics strive for a healthier lifestyle, they often don't persist because they lack the support they need.
If they have had trouble keeping their blood sugar levels under control, they get discouraged, that leads to acceptance of the disease, and they quit working on controlling it.
The best approach is a gradual change in lifestyle.
Behavioral changes are important for the newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic to succeed in controlling their disease.
It doesn't always have to be drastic or strict.
It can be a gradual change in eating healthier meals, consuming less refined sugar, exercising, and getting more sleep.
The goal is to enable the patient to make choices that are healthy, fun, and personally motivating.
A support structure must be in place to encourage and recognize successes for the diabetic.
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