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Diabetes is a serious lifetime illness. There is no cure, but it can be controlled. Treatment includes diet, exercise, blood sugar monitoring and usually medicine (insulin). Learning about these areas of treatment and the disease itself is important and on-going.    

What is diabetes? Diabetes is an illness that has been around since 2,000 B.C. People with diabetes either don't have insulin, (Type 1) or their insulin doesn't work well enough, (Type 2). Insulin is made in the pancreas. Without insulin your body cannot use your food for energy and growth. Your body turns food into blood sugar (glucose), which is used for energy by your body cells-much like gas is used by a car.

To treat your diabetes you must learn to balance your diet, exercise and medicine (insulin or pills). Diabetes is a complex condition and like most things in life, It is not easy.

Here we'll offer you tips on diabetes management and information that will help you understand the disease and it's treatment. Knowledge is Power. Take control of your diabetes for a happier, healthier life.

 

Diabetes & Racing

For those who have diabetes, just coping with daily lifestyle changes can be a big challenge. Planning meals, testing blood sugars, and adjusting medication can be a daunting task for some diabetics. There are times you feel like you are losing the race. I know. I have been Type I diabetic for 14 years and have had my share of ups and downs. and I've had to learn a lot in order to keep diabetes under control and stay healthy. I often use analogies (comparisons) to learn and better understand complex concepts. Being a lifelong "racenut and car buff", I naturally have compared living with diabetes with taking care of my car and my love of racing.

"If you change the oil in your car, burn clean fuel and keep up scheduled maintenance, your car will run a lot smoother and give you many trouble-free miles. Diabetes is the same. Maintain consistent blood sugars, eat right and healthy, keep up your scheduled maintenance and you'll lead a longer and healthier life."

A diabetic's success in health is a lot like race drivers success on the track. Racing takes constant planning, testing, and  adjustment. A drivers' success on the track is a reflection of his team's commitment to plan, test, and learn from their experiences. Success doesn't always mean winning. Just to make the race and finish can be a huge accomplishment. Racing takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and there are a lot of people involved who don't drive the car. It's a total team effort.

Sound familiar? It should. Your doctor (engineer), your diabetic educator (crew chief), and your family (pit crew) are all there to help you run the race. With a little hard work and dedication, you can finish well in the race against diabetes. 

What will it take to win the race against diabetes? 
In a word, Commitment. Diabetics must commit themselves to learning as much as they possibly can about diabetes and it's management. Take the advice of others. Plan, test and adjust. And never give up. Diabetes has changed my life, but not my lifestyle. We want to get out the message that diabetics can enjoy active lifestyles with diabetes without limits.

Sugar Free Racing. No Limits!!

Thanks for visiting,
-Barry Buchan

Symptoms of Diabetes

 


Symptoms of High Blood Sugar
Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar

Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar 

If you take diabetes medication (insulin or pills), your blood sugar can go TOO LOW (hypoglycemia) if you miss a meal or snack, take too much medication or exercise to hard without eating.

Symptoms:

Early Symptoms

  • hungry

  • dizzy, shaky

  • sweaty

Late Symptoms

  • can't think or talk (confusion)

  • mad, irritable

  • loss of consciousness

Early to Late symptoms can go VERY FAST.

What to do:

  • Take a quick sugar. (soda, candy, cake icing, glucose tablets or gel)

  • Wait 15 minutes

  • Check blood sugar. If less than 70mg%, eat more sugar.

  • If over 70mg%, eat a snack or meal after treating with sugar.

 

Symptoms of High Blood Sugar

Insulin is the key to opening the cell door and letting in blood sugar to be used as energy. Without insulin or with insulin that does not work, your cells will go hungry and sugar will build up in your blood. 

Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) are:

  • excessive thirst

  • frequent urination

  • weight loss

  • blurred vision

  • poor healing of infections, sores or wounds

  • very tired

Causes:

  • too much food or sugar intake

  • not enough insulin(medicine)

  • not taking medicinie

  • not enough excercise

  • illness, flu, cold

  • stress

What to do:

  • Call your doctor. Hyperglycemia is a serious condition and prolonged instances of high blood sugar can lead to complications and ketoacidosis.

  • Check your blood sugar every four hours and record the results

  • Increase fluids, especially water

  

 

All photos ©2001 Gary & Barry Buchan
Do not use without permission, proper credit, or link.


©Copyright 1998/1999/2000
Diabetes Home Care/Sugar Free Racing. All rights reserved.
Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form.
E-Mail: sugarfreeracing@diabeteshomecare.com.

Symptoms of:

diabetes

high blood sugar

low blood sugar

Controlling Diabetes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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