Ten years ago, at the very strong urging of my wife, I went to the doctor for a physical. I had not been to a doctor in 20 years. It was my philosophy if you go to a doctor, he will find something wrong with you. When he told me I had Diabetes. This was most certainly, a ?Stop Sign? in my life. I was upset and I was angry, not so much at myself but at my wife and doctor for finding ?this illness.? After I settled down a bit, I read everything I could find on Diabetes. I totally changed my eating habits, went to the gym and lost weight. It wasn't enough, so my doctor prescribed medication which I have been religiously taking along with my new lifestyle, and I can say that my life has changed dramatically for the good. You can do it also. Stay positive. Diabetes is serious, but can be controlled. You have to be willing to do your part.

Glucose is a main source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and other tissues. Glucose comes from two major sources: the food you eat and your liver. During digestion, sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. Normally, sugar then enters cells with the help of insulin.

The hormone insulin comes from the pancreas, a gland located just behind the stomach. When you eat, your pancreas secretes insulin into your bloodstream. As insulin circulates, it acts like a key by unlocking microscopic doors that allow sugar to enter your cells. Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. As your blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from your pancreas.

Your liver acts as a glucose storage and manufacturing center. When your insulin levels are low ? when you haven't eaten in a while, for example ? your liver releases the stored glucose to keep your glucose level within a normal range.

In type 2 diabetes, this process works improperly. Instead of moving into your cells, sugar builds up in your bloodstream. This occurs when your pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or your cells become resistant to the action of insulin. Exactly why this happens is uncertain, although excess fat ? especially abdominal fat ? and inactivity seem to be important factors.

Lifestyle change ? things to do at home

As I stated above, type II diabetes is a serious disease. Make a plan in consultation you're your doctor and stick to it! This is not a ?once and done,? Following your diabetes plan is a 24 hour, 7 day-a-week plan. It takes round-the-clock commitment by you and with your family's full support. The effort is certainly worthwhile. This is not really a choice, because you must reduce your risk of serious ? even life-threatening ? complications. There is no cure for type 2 diabetes, but as we stated, you can manage the condition with a total change in your lifestyle. Eat healthy foods, include physical activity in your daily life. Maintain a healthy weight. If you have trouble with the diet and exercise is not enough, you may need diabetes medications or insulin therapy to manage your blood sugar. Have a long consultation with your doctor.

Consider these 10 tips from the Mayo Clinic:

Make a commitment to managing your diabetes. Learn all you can about type 2 diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Establish a relationship with a diabetes educator, and ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.

Identify yourself. Wear a tag or bracelet that says you have diabetes. Keep a glucagon kit nearby in case of a low blood sugar emergency ? and make sure your friends and loved ones know how to use it.

Schedule a yearly physical and regular eye exams. Your regular diabetes checkups aren't meant to replace yearly physicals or routine eye exams. During the physical, your doctor will look for any diabetes-related complications, as well as screen for other medical problems. Your eye care specialist will check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.

Keep your immunizations up-to-date. High blood sugar can weaken your immune system. Get a flu shot every year, and get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years. Your doctor may recommend the pneumonia vaccine or other immunizations as well.

Take care of your teeth. Diabetes may leave you prone to gum infections. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss your teeth once a day, and schedule dental exams at least twice a year. Consult your dentist right away if your gums bleed or look red or swollen.

Pay attention to your feet. Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water. Dry them gently, especially between the toes, and moisturize with lotion. Check your feet every day for blisters, cuts, sores, redness or swelling. Consult your doctor if you have a sore or other foot problem that doesn't start to heal within a few days.

Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can go a long way toward controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol. Medication may be needed, too.

If you smoke or use other types of tobacco, ask your doctor to help you quit. Smoking increases your risk of various diabetes complications, including heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney disease. In fact, smokers who have diabetes are three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than are nonsmokers who have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Talk to your doctor about ways to stop smoking or to stop using other types of tobacco.

If you drink alcohol, do so responsibly. Alcohol can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on how much you drink and if you eat at the same time. If you choose to drink, do so only in moderation and always with a meal. Remember to include the calories from any alcohol you drink in your daily calorie count.

Take stress seriously. If you're stressed, it's easy to abandon your usual diabetes management routine. The hormones your body may produce in response to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly, which only makes matters worse. To take control, set limits. Prioritize your tasks. Learn relaxation techniques. Get plenty of sleep.

Here are some steps you can take to manage your diabetes and help maintain your overall health and wellness ? today and in the future:

Don't smoke

Check your blood glucose levels regularly and keep them in your target range

Keep your cholesterol and other blood fats in your target range

Maintain a healthy weight

Keep your blood pressure close to target level

Take your medication as prescribed

Manage your stress effectively

Follow a balanced meal plan

Be physically active

Take care of your feet

Regularly visit your dentist, eye care specialist (every one to two years) and doctor

I did this and you can also! Good luck to you! Good health to you! And God speed.

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All information contained within this website is intended for educational purposes only. Consumers should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something they may have read on this website.