University of FloridaSolutions for Your Life

Download PDF 
Publication #FCS8575

Healthy Living: Diabetes (1page)1

Linda B. Bobroff and Paulina Wittkowsky2

This publication is best viewed as a PDF file. Click here to view or print this publication.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition in which the body has trouble making or using insulin. Insulin controls the amount of glucose (sugar) in our blood. The result is high blood glucose.

Visit your doctor if you have any of the following:

  • a need to urinate often (even at night)

  • constant thirst or hunger

  • weight loss that cannot be explained

  • dry or itchy skin

  • skin infections

  • slow healing of cuts

  • numbness or tingling in feet or hands

  • blurry vision

Can diabetes be cured?

In most cases of diabetes, there is no cure. But diabetes can be controlled. You can do this with a proper diet and regular exercise. Some people also may need insulin injections or medication.

To control diabetes:

  • Lose weight, if you are overweight.

  • Be physically active every day.

  • Have your eyes and your blood pressure checked regularly.

  • Have a health professional check your feet at least once a year; check them yourself every day.

  • Have your teeth cleaned at least twice a year.

  • Don't smoke.

  • Follow a healthy diet: eat less fat, sweets, and sodium; choose foods with fiber.

Tables

Table 1. 

Over time, high blood glucose can result in:

vision loss or blindness

high blood pressure and heart disease

damage to blood vessels and nerves, like those in your hands and feet, and

damage to the kidneys
Table 2. 
If you have diabetes, a registered dietitian (RD) can design a diet plan that is right for you.

Footnotes

1.

This document is FCS8575, one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. This leaflet was developed with funding from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, in partnership with state, county, and local agencies. Original publication date March 2000. Revised: March 2006. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Linda B. Bobroff, Ph.D., RD, LD/N., professor, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611, and Paulina Wittkowsky, MS, RD, formerly with the University of Florida.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.