subject: Is Your Type 2 Diabetes Really Under Control? by:Dr. Tina Marcantel [print this page] If you are among the growing number of people
suffering from type 2 diabetes,
here is some good news: A plan of basic therapies
including education, a personalized meal plan,
nutritional supplements, and ongoing monitoring
and support can reduce the amount of insulin and
oral medications needed to manage the disease and
decrease the symptoms and complications of
diabetes. When you are empowered by knowledge,
you can learn to effectively manage this
potentially devastating disease.
Many diabetic patients think their symptoms are "
under control" because they are taking insulin
and other oral medications that help keep their
blood sugars within acceptable levels.
Medications are, of course, critical in the
treatment of the disease. However, if the patient
does not commit to an active role in addressing
the causes of problems, then the result may be an
ever-increasing dependence on insulin or other
medications, which have their own negative side
effects over time. For instance, did you know
that insulin is a fat-storing hormone that often
leads to unwanted weight gain among diabetic
patients? That weight gain can then lead to other
problems such as high blood pressure or joint
problems.
In my own work with patients, I stress four
important factors. The first is
education about the disease process. It is
critical to understand what diabetes is and what
the effects can be on your body. Without proper
treatment, problems such as loss of vision, pain
or numbness in the extremities, ulcers on the
feet, and damage to vital organs can occur.
Learning about how the disease affects the body
to cause these problems is the first crucial step
in your treatment plan.
The next factor is developing a personalized meal
plan. "You are what you eat" was never truer than
when talking about diabetes. By understanding how
certain foods affect your body and your blood
sugars, it is possible to enjoy good meals while
still controlling blood sugars and decreasing
your weight. As an example, eating a piece of
fruit alone can cause blood sugars to rise, but
taking a protein such as nuts or cheese with the
fruit will prevent a spike in the blood sugars.
Targeted nutritional supplements or botanical
treatments can also be very helpful. Recent
studies have shown these alternative therapies to
be effective in decreasing blood pressure,
lowering cholesterol, and decreasing blood sugars,
thus reducing potential organ damage.
Perhaps the most important factor in a treatment
plan is an ongoing monitoring and support program.
Working with a healthcare provider who will
spend time discussing your progress and modifying
your treatment plan on a regular basis is
critical to successfully managing the disease.
You don't have to be a "victim" of type 2
diabetes. By being proactive and working with a
knowledgeable physician, you can control your
diabetes without letting it control you.
About the author
Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic physician in Mesa, Arizona. Before entering medical school she was a registered nurse. Dr. Marcantel has over twenty-five years of experience in the health care field including diabetes management, women's health, weight loss, and mental health. She practices holistic, integrative patient care. For more information please visit her site at http://www.drmarcantel.com
