Let"s start by looking at the two types of Diabetes. Type 1 diabetics make very little or no insulin. Type 2 is usually found in people over 45, who have diabetes in their family, who are overweight, who don't exercise, and who have cholesterol problems. It is also common in certain racial and ethnic groups (blacks, American Indians, and Hispanics) and in women who had diabetes when they were pregnant.

Type 2 diabetes is typically recognized in adulthood, usually after age 45 years. It used to be called adult-onset diabetes mellitus, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects the way your body uses food for energy. The disease develops when the cells of the body become resistant to insulin or when the pancreas cannot make enough insulin.

Step one

Consult a doctor and go for regular appointments. Most doctors want to see diabetics once every three months they use this appointment to do blood work and make sure the patient is doing their part in dealing with diabetes. The blood work is used to check cholesterol and blood sugar averages this is determent by a test called A1C. These levels are important for the doctor to know if medication or medication adjustments are needed.

Also the doctor can send you to classes on how to deal with diabetes I highly recommend these classes. They cover diet, exercise and personal care. They also cover all the different types of medication you may be on and what they do. Most classes also cover glucose meters and how they are used, the one I went to even provided meters if you didn't have one.

Step Two

Diet is another important step; amazingly I learn in those classes that a diabetic diet doesn't really exist basically it is simply a diet that every one should follow diabetic or non-diabetic. What the diet is about is counting the amount of carbs we eat there is a level for each meal for men it is 4 carb choices for ladies it is 3 choices each choice is made up of 15 grams of carbs each.

Also all meals should be balanced having mostly vegetables and some protein and some carbohydrates. When you eat carbs and proteins together it slows the speed in which you body turns the carbs to glucose and instead of getting a quick sugar high it rises slower and doesn't even get as high. The object being to have a small wave in blood sugar levels instead of a quick spike.

Step 3

Exercise can decrease the risk of heart disease, which is common in older people and in people with diabetes. Exercise is good for everyone, including people with diabetes. It's also an important part of diabetes treatment because exercise can improve your body's response to insulin, help you lose extra body fat, and get your heart and lungs in good shape. Exercise, a low-sugar diet and losing weight may reduce the risk of diabetes later in life.

Hope this articles helps you understand diabetes. With simple life style and diet changes it isn't too hard to deal with. Keep a positive attitude and strive for a heather way of living.