Diabetic Teaching Plan

DIABETIC TEACHING PLAN

We know that diabetes affect a lot of people worldwide including the United States. According to the World Health Organization, the people living with diabetes will double by the year 2030. Diabetes takes more lives than both AIDS and breast cancer combined and cost the American government more than $245 billion dollars a year. What is diabetes exactly? Why is this disease affecting so many people? How can we manage that disease effectively?

Diabetes is defined as a metabolic disease in which the body’s inability to produce any or enough insulin causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood. What is the normal blood glucose level? For someone without diabetes, fasting blood glucose should be less than 100. Before meal, the normal blood sugar should be between 70 and 100. After meal, blood glucose should be 140. What is the role of insulin and regulating blood sugar? When we eat, our bodies turn food into sugars for energy. At that point, the pancreas is supposed to release insulin. However, in people with diabetes the body is either unable to make enough insulin or the pancreas is not making insulin at all; which leads to our two main Types of diabetes: Type I and Types II diabetes.

Type I diabetes, also called insulin depend, is when the body’s immune system attacks part of its own pancreas. The immune system mistakenly sees the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas as foreign, and destroys them. Type I diabetes is also called juvenile diabetes, since it is often diagnosed in children. Only 5-10 percent of people with diabetes have this Type of diabetes. The only effective treatment for those diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes is to inject insulin several times every day or continually infuse insulin through a pump.

Type II diabetes usually develops after age 40, but recently it begun to appear with more frequency in younger person .In a person with Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still produces insulin but the body does not produce enough or is not able to use it effectively. Fortunately, those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes can manage their disease through a combination of treatments, including diet control, exercise, self-monitoring of blood glucose, oral drugs or insulin.

Diet is very important is managing Type II diabetes. Certain foods can help you lose weight and even manage your blood sugar, which can prevent diabetes. Vegetable is one of the best choices to help reduce your blood sugar. Vegetables are low in calories and carbohydrates. Healthful options include tomatoes, spinach, yams, collard greens, corn, and kale. Fruit are also good for your health, but people with diabetes need to pay attention to the kind of fruit they are choosing because some fruit are high in glucose and might raise their blood pressure. Go for fruits that slowly raise blood glucose, such as apples, bananas, grapes, plums, and peaches. Avoid fruit juices since they can raise blood sugar as quickly as regular soda. Rich in vitamins, fiber, and minerals, whole-grain foods are great for a diabetes-friendly menu. Some fish have heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids and can reduce your risk of heart disease, a common condition for people with diabetes. Fish rich in omega 3 are: salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines.

Exercise can help prevent diabetes by lowering your blood sugar. It also helps your cells become more sensitive to insulin. Choose something you enjoy doing such as gardening, walking, running, swimming, or dancing. Keep moving to burn calories, and keep your blood glucose levels on target.

Stress can also increase your