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Frequently Asked QuestionsDiabetes Frequently Asked Questions
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1. What is diabetes? What is the difference between Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes?
There are 3 types of diabetes:
- Type 1 Diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM) is associated with the inability of the pancreatic beta cells to produce insulin. This disease is classified as an autoimmune disease that attacks and kills the insulin-producing beta cells.
- Type 2 Diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, NIDDM) is associated with the body's inability to effectively utilize the insulin produced by the pancreas.
- Gestational Diabetes is also associated with the body's temporary inability to effectively utilize the insulin produced by the pancreas.
2. Is Type 2 diabetes a genetic disease? In other words, is diabetes passed down from one's parents?
Since it appears that diabetes runs in families, family members may have a genetic pre-disposition to become diabetic. However, I believe that what children inherit that leads to Type 2 diabetes are the poor eating habits of their parents and other family members. Consequently, if children change their eating habits, they can prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
3. What are the risk factors that may indicate a high probability of developing Type 2 diabetes?
The major risk factors include the following:
- Abdominal fat: a waistline greater than 40 inches (for a man), or 35 inches for a woman; Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 25
- Poor nutrition: too many processed foods; and, not enough fiber, water, plant oils, and nutrients from vegetables and fruits
- Sedentary lifestyle: very little physical activity or exercise
- Age: 45 years or older
- High blood pressure (130/80 or higher)
- High triglycerides (over 150), Low HDL cholesterol (under 40 for men, 50 for women)
- High C-reactive protein, high homocysteine and/or small, dense LDL particles, indicators of high levels of internal inflammation
- Non-Caucasian ethnicity: Hispanic American, African American, Native American, Asian American (partially due to societal "isms")
- A family history of Type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease
- A history of gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- Tobacco/alcohol consumption
4. How can I prevent myself from becoming a Type 2 diabetic?
By avoiding the processed foods, fast foods, excess animal meat and a sedentary lifestyle, while eating more whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains; and exercising on a consistent basis.
5. What are the blood tests that are used to diagnose whether you're a diabetic?
During a physical exam your doctor may discover that you have a high fasting blood glucose reading above 126 mg/dl. Your doctor will follow up with one or more of the following tests to determine if you are diabetic:
- Fasting Blood Glucose Test
- For this test you will be required to fast (not eat) for at least eight hours on two separate days. Your doctor will draw your blood and measure your glucose level each time. If your blood glucose level is 126 mg/dl or greater both times, then, you are diabetic. If your doctor is not fully certain that you are diabetic, then, he/she will perform the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test.
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
- For this test you will be required to fast for at least eight hours. Your doctor will give you a sugar solution to drink and measure your blood at one-hour intervals during the next three hours. If your blood glucose level is 200 mg/dl or greater each time, then, you are diabetic.
6. How do I figure out which foods will help me control my diabetes?
It is very important that you measure your blood glucose before and after meals to help determine how your body responds to specific foods. You should eliminate those foods that cause your blood glucose level to rise and stay high. You should also purchase a book such as "Death to Diabetes" to provide some nutrition-based guidelines for you to follow.
7. What are the key foods that a Type 2 diabetic should eat?
In general, a Type 2 diabetic should focus on eating healthy carbohydrates such as broccoli, spinach and Brussel sprouts; healthy proteins such as fish, nuts, seeds, beans, skinless chicken breast; healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil; and healthy liquids such as filtered water, green/white tea, and raw vegetable juices. These foods will help to cleanse/detoxify the body and give a diabetic the necessary energy to exercise and burn fat. More importantly, these foods help the body to reduce its production of insulin, which is the hormone that causes the body to produce and store more fat. Excess insulin production also inhibits fat metabolism.
8. What is one of the most common mistakes that Type 2 diabetics make after they have been diagnosed with diabetes?
Many diabetics choose to ignore the doctor's diagnosis because they are not experiencing any discomfort and don't want to exercise or stop eating their favorite foods. Some diabetics wait until they begin to experience some discomfort before taking any action. Unfortunately, this lack of action allows the disease to take a foothold in the diabetic's body.
9. What are some of the key areas that a Type 2 diabetic needs to manage in order to control his/her diabetes?
Four of the key areas are: nutrition (or diet), consistent exercise, blood glucose testing, and doctor appointments/medical tests.
10. Why is a diabetic's blood glucose level high even though he/she is eating right?
A diabetic may think he/she is eating right, but, in most cases, the diabetic is mistaken. Knowledge about the proper foods is very important.
11. Are there any ethnic groups that are more at risk for acquiring Type 2 diabetes?
African-Americans are twice as likely to develop diabetes for several reasons.
- Poor eating habits: too much processed foods, fast foods, fried foods, excess fatty animal meat, processed vegetable oils
- Living environment: surrounded by fast food restaurants, limited access to fresh vegetables, fruits
- Improper placement of blame on the doctors and not taking responsibility for one's health
- Sedentary and stressful lifestyles: many African-Americans are under tremendous stress, e.g. working two jobs and not having the time to exercise; being unemployed and not being able to work at all
- Societal "isms" that affect education, employment opportunities, financial resources, healthcare coverage, and accessibility to other resources. Consequently, some African-Americans either have limited healthcare insurance or no healthcare insurance, and a lower quality of services and treatment from healthcare and medical personnel
12. Why is it so important to understand that Type 2 diabetes is more than "just high blood sugar"?
A high blood glucose level is a symptom, not the cause of the disease. Type 2 diabetes is a systemic disease that affects the entire body and several key organs. In addition, if you cover up (suppress) the symptom, you have not addressed the root cause(s) of the disease. That's one of the reasons why diabetics will have good control for a couple weeks, and, then, have glucose readings that are out of control the following week and not understand why.
13. Doesn't it cost more to eat healthy foods?
Yes, it will cost more initially to purchase healthy foods, but you will save money in the long run because you will be spending less money for medications, doctor appointments, hospital visits, etc. You will also miss less work due to illness.
14. Why is there so much about diabetes in the news?
Type 2 diabetes is reaching such epidemic levels that this disease affects at least one out every three Americans. There are more than 21 million people in the United States and 190 million people worldwide with this disease that leads to amputation, blindness, kidney failure, heart attack or stroke. And, now, more of our children are developing Type 2 diabetes. In addition, the medical and healthcare costs continue to rise at an accelerated rate, costing more than $135 billion a year.
15. How is diabetes normally treated by doctors?
Type 2 diabetes is usually treated with drugs such as Glucophage and insulin, if you have been unsuccessful with diet and exercise. However, most doctors will admit that these drugs are only treating the symptoms of the disease. Consequently, most diabetics will have to take these drugs for the rest of their lives. In fact, the number of drugs that a diabetic takes gradually increases over a period of years. These additional drugs usually include drugs for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and blood thinning.
16. Why is there never enough time during my appointment with my doctor?
It's not your doctor's fault. Doctors are under a tremendous amount of pressure. It is up to you to take the time and prepare for your doctor's appointment. Diabetes requires that you take more responsibility for your health and bring your blood glucose readings and other information to your doctor, so that he can determine how well you are managing your diabetes. And, don't expect your doctor to have all the answers. You are ultimately responsible for your health, not your doctor. You can make your appointment more productive by bringing your blood glucose readings and a list of questions. You should also listen to your doctor and take notes during the appointment. Bottom-line, if you work with your doctor, your doctor will work with you.
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