1.Distinguishing LADA diabetics from diabetics with type 2 diabetes is important .
Since insulin resistance is minimal or non-existent in LADA diabetes, medications designed to reduce insulin resistance such as Avandia and Actos are not effective.
Also, several of the oral drugs used to treat Type 2 diabetes stimulate the beta cells to produce insulin, and because LADA involves an autoimmune attack which is stimulated by the production of insulin at the beta cells, stimulating insulin production by the beta cells with drugs may increase the ferocity of the attack, killing more beta cells.
So it is very important to get a correct diagnosis so you can avoid the drugs that stimulate insulin production by the beta cells.
These drugs include the sulfonylureas like Amaryl and Glipizide and may also include the incretin drugs, Byetta and Januvia because they also stimulate insulin production by the beta cells.
Other medications that stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin, slow digestion of carbohydrates, or reduce excess glucose production by the liver are often effective in controlling the blood sugar for a few years.
Because LADA develops slowly, someone with LADA may be able to produce enough of their own insulin to keep sugar levels under control without needing insulin for a number of months or sometimes even years after the initial diagnosis of diabetes.
Insulin will almost certainly be required at some point in the future.
In some cases, insulin therapy may be postponed.
However, there is evidence to suggest that starting insulin treatment soon after a diagnosis of LADA will help to better preserve the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin.
Regular blood glucose testing is advised for people with LADA at a similar number of tests per day that are advised for people with type 1 diabetes.
This means that it is advisable to test your blood sugar levels before each meal and before bed.
One major benefit for patients with Type 1.5 LADA diabetes is that when their blood sugars are controlled they usually do not have the high risk for heart problems more often found with the high cholesterol and blood pressure seen in true Type 2 diabetes.
2.Diet treatment in LADA is similar to that in classic type 1 diabetes.
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Obese LADA patients benefit from restriction in calories consumed and increased levels of physical activity.
Eat a healthy balanced diet with low glycemic index and low glycemic load.
People with diabetes are able to eat exactly like the rest of their family does.
Modern day nutrition guidelines for those with diabetes offer quite a few choices, they are flexible and allow diabetics to fit in special-occasion or favorite foods.
A healthy diet consisting of whole grains, vegetable, fruits, heart healthy fats and lean proteins should be kept by everyone regardless of whether or not they are diabetic.
If you are diabetic you do not have to have “special” meals, the whole family can eat the same; healthy.
Foods such as pasta, cereal, bread and rice are considered starchy foods but they provide carbohydrates which are what give the body energy.
Other foods that also contain carbohydrates are milk, desserts, yogurt and fruit, carbohydrates are something that everyone needs a bit off, even diabetics.
When you consume more carbohydrates than you burn that is when you will gain weight.
Space carbohydrate grams throughout the day.
When a person exceeds 5 hours without eating carbohydrates, the pancreas is forced to release glucagon to stimulate the liver to release glucagon.
If carbohydrate grams are spread accordingly, there is a lesser need for glucagon.
The important thing is to be aware of the amount of each healthy food groups you need to eat in order to maintain safe blood glucose levels and a healthy weight range.
Starchy foods that are high in fiber and whole grain are a great choice for general good nutrition.
Fats that are found in oils, margarine and salad dressings do not immediately affect the blood glucose levels.
That being said eating a fatty meal can slow down the process of digestion making it more difficult for your insulin to work, this could possibly cause elevated glucose levels hours after you have eaten.
Your blood cholesterol can be raised by some fats which increases the risk of a stroke or heart attack. These unhealthy fats are called trans fat and saturated fat and should be limited.
Shortening, butter, milk, cheese and red meat are all sources of saturated fat.
Some snack foods, margarine and fast foods contain trans fats.
Fat is also very high in calories so if your are trying to lose weight you should avoid it.
Just because you are diabetic you do not need to completely cut all sodium and salt from your diet. However, being as a diabetic is more likely than someone who is not diabetic to suffer from high blood pressure which can cause heart disease they should consider cutting back on the amount of sodium they consume.
Here are few examples of foods that are high in sodium:canned vegetables,salad dressings,canned soups and certain cereals.
Regardless of whether or not you have high blood pressure it is important to be careful with the amount of sodium you consume.
There are individuals who are “salt sensitive” therefore after eating foods with a high salt content they may be experience a spike in their blood pressure levels.
3.Exercise regularly.
Doctors should advise diabetics about exercise programs suited to their individual needs and perform follow-up evaluations to insure that patients are adhering to the plan
It is a great way to build and retain muscle mass and consume excess blood sugar. With the help of regular, properly fueled physical activity, the pancreas need not produce as much insulin or glucagon.
Optimal exercise is a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week over and above usual activity. Optimal time to exercise: 1 to 2 hours after any meal.
4.If You’re Depressed, Get Help
If you’re depressed, you are much less likely to exercise and eat well. But the health dangers don’t end there.
Stanford University scientists think that depression itself alters body chemistry in profound ways that spell trouble for anyone at risk for diabetes.
Rates of insulin resistance were 23 percent higher among depressed women than among women who weren’t depressed, regardless of body weight, exercise habits, or age.
5.Get Better Sleep
A chronic lack of sleep leads to weight gain and reduces your body’ sensitivity to insulin.
In one Yale school of Medicine study of 1,709 men, those who averaged five to six hours of slumber per night doubled their risk of diabetes.
Studies of women have found similar results.
6.Get Out The Tape Measure
Women whose waists measure 35 inches or more and men whose midsection measure 40 inches or more are more likely to have fat deep in their abdomens, which can triple the risk of diabetes while you’re probably overweight if your waist is big, researchers report that they’re seeing more people at a normal weight who also have big waists, so don’t think it’s enough to simply watch the numbers on the scale.
For more great Health and Nutrition Tips refer to the website positivehealthwellness.com.
7.Ingest adequate water.
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Those with LADA have a greater chance of forming ketones than a person with type 2 diabetes.
The less insulin they produce, the greater the rise of ketones and the greater the ph imbalance in the blood.
For those 5’3” and under a minimum of 48 ounces of water a day; For those over 5’3”, a minimum of 64 ounces of water a day.
Ketoacidosis is a short-term complication of LADA, particularly once the pancreas has lost much of its ability to produce insulin.
People with LADA should be aware of the signs of ketoacidosis and how to test for ketones if needed.
The risks of long term complications of diabetes will be similar to the risks in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The possible long term complications of diabetes include:
Heart disease and stroke
Retinopathy (retinal disease)
Nephropathy (kidney disease)
Neuropathy (nerve disease)
Foot problems
Diabetes, including latent autoimmune diabetes is a chronic illness that can have devastating complications.
However, it is possible for most persons with diabetes to actively participate in their daily health care needs and dramatically reduce the risk of diabetes complications.
Diabetes education, motivation, and state of mental health all play an important role in how well a person with LADA will be able to manage their disease.
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