Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:07 am Post subject: Type 2 Diabetes
Does anyone know anything about type 2 diabetes? My mother has just been diagnosed with it. She says the doctor has said she should be able to control it with diet, but she's so cross about it that I'm not sure she's really taken in everything she's been told.
Also, she smokes like a chimney and drinks at least 3-4 units of alcohol every day, neither of which is exactly recommended. The chances of her giving up either more or less equates to the chances of hell freezing over....
She doesn't like cooking at all and most of their meals are lovingly prepared by Messrs. Marks and Spencer...
She doesn't respond well to being nagged, but I feel the need to increase my knowledge so I can try and steer her in the right direction.
I'll do some reading of course, but any pointers that anyone could give me would be welcome. _________________ When I married Mr. Right, I didn't realise his first name was Always ...
My Dad had this but just before Christmas got told he didn't have it anymore.
He took artificial sweeteners but pretty much did the same as he's always done. He's been a heavy drinker most of his life and now takes wine with most meals, heavy meat/dairy eater, and no exercise. He gave up smoking many years ago but is virtually housebound now. All the skin is peeling off his feet as his circulation is "shot." The vascular surgeon can't do anything for him and he's in pain most of the time. He blames the doctors for his condition, for not being able to fix what he caused.
Down the years we've tried to guide him into a healthier lifestyle but he won't have any of it, as a result for the last 30 or 40 yrs (he's in his 80s), he's been beset with health problems.
Sorry Jellycat, not much in the way of suggestions, just letting off a bit of steam, hate to see people in pain.
I wish you well with your Mum and hope she takes suggestions better than my Father ever did!
Some infor hope it helps
Paula
Type 2 diabetes occurs mainly in people aged over 40. The 'first-line' treatment is diet, weight control and physical activity. If the blood glucose level remains high despite these measures, then tablets to reduce the blood glucose level are usually advised. Insulin injections are needed in some cases. Other treatments include reducing blood pressure if it is high, and other measures to reduce the risk of complications.
With Type 2 diabetes, the illness and symptoms tend to develop gradually (over weeks or months). This is because in Type 2 diabetes you still make insulin (unlike Type 1 diabetes). However, you develop diabetes because:
you do not make enough insulin for your body's needs, OR
the cells in your body do not use insulin properly. This is called 'insulin resistance'. The cells in your body become resistant to normal levels of insulin. So, you need more insulin than you normally make to keep the blood glucose level down, OR
a combination of the above two reasons.
Type 2 diabetes used to be known as maturity onset, or Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes. It develops mainly in people older than 40 (but sometimes occurs in younger people). In the UK about 3 in 100 people aged over 40, and about 10 in 100 people aged over 65, have Type 2 diabetes. It is more common in people who are overweight or obese. It also tends to run in families. It is also more common in South Asian and African-Caribbean people (often developing before the age of 40 in this group).
Thanks Kathy and Paula. I think I'll see if the library has any books about it and then at least I can equip myself with some knowledge with which to nag _________________ When I married Mr. Right, I didn't realise his first name was Always ...
diabetis, no matter what form it is, is very dangerous.
if it is not properly controlled it can lead to other things....even death.
several people in my family are insulin dependent, i am not yet, but it is coming.....
yes your mum will be cross, she is entitled to be, she has to change her life style. she is probably overwhelmed by all the literature on the market about diabetes, and does not know where to begin. she is also probably quite scared too.
is there not a clinic she can go to?
they are quite helpful....
there are also some great diabetes forums on here....she should get to meet or chat to others in the same situation as herself, then she will realise she is not alone, and although it has to be controlled, it is not that hard....honest.
there is really no point in giving you a list of do's and dont's except to say, she has to be aware of the hidden sugars.....even milk has sugar in it......a good tip to know when you are having a hypo is to drink a glass of milk..... it works......the shakes soon go.
you can have sweet things as long as they are taken with slow release carbs....i have wholemeal toast with honey in the mornings, and i am fine...
it will take her a while to adjust, but using a monitor to check her blood sugar levels will help, aswell as keeping a diary of what she eats.....
I saw Mum last week and she's still furious. She's decided that having breakfast (which she never used to do...) will sort it out. She's not even considering cutting down smoking or drinking, and says she doesn't care if it's harming her I've said my piece and there's no point in me saying any more until she's ready to listen, which won't be any time soon! She's not remotely computer literate so won't be able to access any online help and support, and probably wouldn't bother even if she could. Honestly, she's enough to drive a daughter potty!!!
On the plus side, she's never had a sweet tooth, so that's good....
But thanks again for your advice - when she's ready, I'll pass it on _________________ When I married Mr. Right, I didn't realise his first name was Always ...
sounds like she is in denial......it happens, heaven knows i went thru it too.....lol...
even after a heart attack and stroke, i did not believe it.....i was out logging 3 months later.....but that was years ago now, and i am still here.
she will get there in time, as you say, leave her to it, dont nag....lol....and it will finally sink in.
she will have to go for check ups at the docs, so they will keep an eye on it, and tell her off if she doesn't keep to a diet of sorts....fofl....
but it is worrying for you, especially when you know what should be done, but cant get thru to her.....but at least she is having breakfast now....thats a start, so she is listening......
My mum was diagnosed wiith this at the age of about 80 years. She was also unhappy, as she had a sweet tooth. We used to take her shopping and try and steer her away from sweet things. I used to make special cakes, and treats, but it was never enough to satisfy her sweet tooth. She quite a few yeas with it, and in the end had a heart attack. She really wasn't a good patient. Depending on how old your mum is, maybe she will try and cut down once she starts to feel unwell. One can only hope. God luck with it. It doesn't matter how much you nag them, they will do want they want and you can't be there 24 hours a day. You have tried, and you will probably just have to go with the flow on this. x
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that I'm not sure she's really taken in everything she's been told.
