Diabetes

             The consequences of improper management of Type 2 Diabetes include blindness, renal failure, nerve damage, coronary heart disease, kidney damage (from small amounts of albumin in the urine), slow healing of wounds and infections, pregnancy complications, impotence in men, poor circulation, hyperglycaemic coma, hypoglycaemic coma, emotional responses, limb amputation, lipid abnormalities, raised very low density lipoprotein, raised triglyceride, small dense LDL, low levels of HDL cholesterol, accelerated atherosclerosis through hypertension, high insulin, vessel wall abnormalities, impaired chemical release from endothelial cells and alterations in blood clotting as well as amputation of limbs. In 1998 7.5% of males and 7.2% of females had diabetes as an underlying cause of their death.
             On average, 16% of hospital costs are directed at diabetes with an average government expenditure of $44 billion each year and that figure is rising. The money goes towards hospitalisation for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and foot problems related with Type 2 Diabetes as well as drugs, insulin and medication.
             Type 2 Diabetes can be avoided by eating a nutritious diet, exercising and controlling your weight. A low GI diet consisting of fruit, vegetables and cereals with low fat, salt and sugar and high fibre and carbohydrates is essential and meals should be eaten in a regular pattern with more small meals spread through the day rather than larger meals less often. As a means of controlling weight, cholesterol and blood pressure, exercise is also important. 30 minutes a day for 3 days a week is a sufficient amount and can help reduce stress and abdominal weight which is a major risk for Type 2 Diabetes. Amputations can be prevented by improving blood glucose levels, foot care education and treatment of foot problems. .
             In the past diabetics were told not to eat foods containing added sugar because they thought it caused blood glucose levels to rise.