Tom Hanks, star of the new movie “Captain Philips,” is one of the chosen ones. He just announced that he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes (also known as Adult Onset Diabetes). Fortunately, by making a few changes to his lifestyle, he can minimize the risks and go on to star in many more movies.
In Type 2 Diabetes, the blood sugar rises higher than it should be.
Diabetics usually show the following symptoms:
- Urinating often
- Increased thirst
- Feeling very hungry – even though you have eaten
- Feeling very tired
- Blurry vision
- Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal
- Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands or feet
Diabetes can severely affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves, feet and other parts of the body. In addition, it can double the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Good news about managing type 2 diabetes
Tom Hanks’ doctor told him if he weighed the same weight as he did in high school, he probably wouldn’t have diabetes today. If you, like Tom, find this unreachable, the good news is there are other ways to manage diabetes. More fiber and healthier carbohydrates can help to drop blood sugar.
Exercise can also help in the battle against diabetes, but if diet and exercise alone don’t work, there are medications that can help to control your blood sugar.
The Noble Prize committee just awarded 3 scientists for their research into diabetes giving new hope for a better understanding of the disease. With their research and the research of many others, a cure is hopefully coming in the future.
Diabetic patients are in the driver’s seat. Eating and exercising is a good way to help control diabetes, but checkups are also an important part of living with diabetes. Your primary care physician can manage your overall health, but you also need to have yearly checkups by your dentist, eye doctor, and a podiatrist.
If you need information about a yearly diabetic foot exam give our office a call.
At Hollowbrook Foot Specialist in Wappingers Falls we will be happy to keep you on the right track for managing your diabetes.
By David Schlam
