Types

• People can have Type 1, Type 2 or women can develop gestational diabetes when they become pregnant. Type 2 diabetes generally develops later in life. Pre-diabetes is a condition doctors detect before full-blown diabetes, and people in this stage of the disease can successfully reverse the condition with effort.
  
  

Facts

• The conditions associated with diabetes are Type 1, Type 2, gestational and pre-diabetes. Anyone suffering from any form of diabetes must do their best to control their glucose levels. Uncontrolled diabetes can negatively affect the heart (high blood pressure), kidneys, nerves, eyes and blood vessels.
  
  

Identification

• Symptoms of diabetes include an increase in thirst and hunger, unexplained weight loss, frequent urination, blurred vision, fatigue and frequent infections. It's important to discuss any symptoms with your physician, as complications can worsen quickly.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Prevention begins with healthy eating habits and exercise. It is important to eat healthy foods to keep insulin levels controlled. Some processed foods cause the body to release too much insulin into the bloodstream, causing a "sugar spike." Some carbohydrates do this as well. The ADA recommends keeping the carbohydrates in your diet to 45 to 60 percent. The best diet is one that consists of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and monounsaturated (polyunsaturated) fats. A diabetic diet should be colorful, with a few boxed and packaged foods as possible. Nuts, Omega-3 fish oils and avocados are excellent sources of the good fats to include in your diet.
  
  Exercise is another important factor to managing diabetes because it decreases any insulin resistance. Exercising aerobically for 20 to 60 minutes three to four days per week is recommended by the American Council on Exercise. It is also suggested that you work out with weights at least twice per week.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Many people think eating a lot of sugar or being overweight leads to diabetes. Sugar plays no role in the development of the disease. In addition, being overweight is just one risk factor for the disease. Other factors that increase risk for diabetes include age and genetics. Another diabetes myth states that diabetics should eat special diabetic foods. The reality is there are no special diabetic foods, only diabetic lifestyles.