Having diabetes is like being in charge of a many-armed octopus. There isn't just one cut and dried way of coping with the disease because it's managed on a lot of different levels. But don’t get alarmed! First of all, take a deep breath. Realize you are still you, and that over time, diabetes will become only one facet of your life, and everything will eventually fit into your lifestyle. It is possible to get a handle on diabetes and live a long and healthy life.

Types of Diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 most often occurs before age 30, but may occur at any age. With this kind of diabetes, the pancreas produces very little or no insulin. Insulin injections are needed for Type 1. It can be caused by genetic predisposition, autoimmune responses which cause the body to develop anti-insulin antibodies, or by certain viruses which force the immune system to attack the insulin producing cells in the pancreas.

The second kind of diabetes is Type 2. It usually occurs in adults over 35 years old, but can occur in children. 90% of all diabetes cases are Type 2. Causes include genetic predisposition, obesity, and increased age.

Taming The Octopus:
You don't have to do it alone. Assembling your own personal healthcare team puts you in control. Who you have on your team is up to you. Some possibilities:

 • Your primary MD can help coordinate your healthcare.
 • Diabetes is a disease of the endocrine system. An endocrinologist can help     you see the big picture.
 • A nutritionist/dietician can help figure out a good meal plan.
 • An eye doctor. Retinopathy can be a serious complication.
 • A certified diabetes educator(CDE) can teach you the skills you'll need.

Check your blood sugar several times a day. Keep records of all your blood glucose numbers and what time you checked them. Keep a food diary of what you eat, how much you eat and when you eat. Records are good to keep because they tell you and your doctor a lot about how you're doing, and whether the medications or insulin schedule are at the best dose for you.

Take Your Medicine:
It's important to take your medications as prescribed, even if you're feeling better. They keep your blood sugar levels in a good range, so you don't develop long-term complications like nerve damage, blindness or kidney failure.

If you are Type 1, you will need to take your insulin as prescribed, not only to prevent long-term complications but also to prevent the more immediate danger of extremely high blood glucose that can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life threatening emergency.

Plan Your Meals:
 • What to Eat: A good balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
 • When to Eat: Try to eat at the same times everyday. This helps blood sugar    levels remain constant.
 • How much to Eat: Use portion control to get a balance of the nutrients that    you need.
 • Consultation: Consult a dietician or nutritionist to help guide you towards
   good nutrition and come up with find a plan that fits your needs.

Get Your Exercise:
Find an exercise that you like to do that fits into your life. Always check your blood sugar before and after you exercise. If your blood sugar is lower than 100 mg/dl, make sure you eat a snack before you start. If you feel faint or dizzy, weak or confused, stop exercising right away and drink some orange juice or other source of quickly digested sugar. There's no need to join a gym or have a personal trainer, to make exercise a part of your life. Walking is free. Try to get about 30 minutes of exercise a day, 5 times a week. Start by doing 5 to 10 minutes a day and increase by five or ten minutes each week until you're up to speed. It's better to build up by degrees than to burn out after a single strenuous session.

For more information:
 • www.diabetesindia.com
 • www.sagardiabeticcenter.com (Bangalore)

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