ADA Guidelines for Diabetes Treatment
Diabetes is a chronic and life-threatening but treatable disorder. According to the American Diabetes Association, 23.6 million people in the United States, or 8% of the population, have diabetes.The ADA has produced a set of guidelines to help people successfully treat and live with this condition.
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Symptoms
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ADA guidelines recommend becoming knowledgeable about the symptoms of diabetes, which include increased hunger; increased thirst; increased urination; fatigue; sudden and unexplained weight loss; irritability and and blurry vision.
Diagnosis
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ADA guidelines recommend a diagnosis of diabetes be made based on symptoms, including a fasting glucose greater than 126, a random glucose greater than 200 and a HgA1c greater than 6 percent.
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Nutrition
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ADA guidelines recommend maintaining a healthy weight with lots of fruits and non-starchy vegetables; fish; lean meats; non-fat dairy; whole grains; dried beans and water. The ADA says that no food is "off-limits" as long as it is a part of a balanced diet.
Exercise
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ADA guidelines recommend daily exercise to make the body more sensitive to insulin; to burn more glucose; to reduce the amount of insulin or oral medication needed; to maintain a healthy weight; lower blood pressure; to build stronger bones and to manage stress.
Prevention
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ADA guidelines recommend understanding risk factors such as glucose; obesity; stress; blood pressure and cholesterol level.
Warning
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According to the ADA, poorly controlled diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, hypertension, eye damage, nerve damage, poor healing injuries, coma and death.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Microsoft Clip Art;Mikytz March 2009;Microsoft Clip Art;Karimian June 2005;Microsoft Clip Art;Combined Media 2005;Jose Goulao Dec. 2007
