Type 2 diabetes, along with coronary heart disease, stroke and some cancers, is at epidemic level. If these diseases were rare prior to the turn of the 20th century and are predominantly lifestyle related, what are we doing If the choices we make are really the cause of the problems, this really means these conditions are theoretically preventable!

So let’s take a step back in time.

What did our parents and grandparents do that we are not

• many grew their own vegetables and worked in the garden tending these crops. They usually did not use sprays.
• they rarely ate out. Often there would only be one or two restaurants in the area, plus a cafe selling hamburgers and fries. If they could afford it they would maybe eat out once a week.
• they collected eggs from their own chickens.
• they even produced their own chickens to eat. These were not caged and were fed grains and table scraps. And the chickens were not fed hormones or antibiotics.
• if they were lucky they owned one family car which meant children walked to the bus stop, or even walked to school. And shopping would be done by walking to the shops or, at least, the bus stop.

I’m sure there was much more to their lives than above but the general picture shows they prepared their own foods, and engaged in physical activity.

What do we need to do

• reduce the number of our takeaway or carry out meals. You have no control over the amount of salt, fat or sugar in these prepared meals.
• reduce the number of restaurant meals. Do you know many restaurants tenderize their steak with salt and sugar
• eat more vegetables, especially leafy greens. Carbohydrates from these are released into your blood stream gradually so you don’t have high blood sugar levels.
• have more deep ocean, cold water fish such as salmon. All seafood have some omega-3s, but the most concentrated sources are in the fatty fishes such as salmon. Omega-3s improve glucose tolerance and some reports say they help burn fat.
• increase your fiber intake, experts recommend 25-35 grams a days. This helps to lower your blood sugar levels.
• learn to read labels, many products have added sugar and salt
• increase your physical activity. No need to be a gym junkie, start out by just walking more. Park your car further away from the shops and railway station … walk the extra distance. And walk ten minutes after each meal, it all adds up!

The classic treatment for type 2 diabetes is to adopt a new body shape, so watch what you eat, eat less and move more. Be really mindful of how you take care of yourself.

Traveling with Diabetes can sometimes be a scary thought as you are not sure whether they will be able to accommodate for your needs. There is also some special precautions and arrangements that you need to make before being able to board a plane or go on a cruise ship or even make reservations at a hotel.

Here is a few tips that will assist you in making the right choices and allow you to travel safe:

Before you go…. ASK

Asking is one of the simplest methods of having a safe and catered for journey. With Diabetes you have to be absolutely sure that your needs are met and in case of an emergency that there is adequate medical assistance.

AIRPLANES

Before boarding a plane you should ask your travel agent what measures are in place for diabetes sufferers on the airline you are traveling with. If the measures are not adequate, a different airline should be used. You should ask if special meals and beverages are available for diabetics and know what special procedures have been put in place should a diabetic emergency emerge. It’s also a good idea to know what medical training the crew has and if they are trained to give necessary medical assistance in case of a diabetic emergency.

If you are an Insulin dependant (Type I) diabetic, then you will be allowed to take medication on board, but you will need a doctor’s certificate as proof. Make sure that you have visible identification like a Medic-Alert bracelet so that medical personnel can immediately identify that you are diabetic.

CRUISE SHIPS

When planning a trip on a cruise ship, it’s always vital to know if they have a menu for diabetics and a doctor on board. Most shipping companies have a qualified medical doctor on their ships for emergency situations. It will also be helpful to know if the ship has a pharmacy on board.

HOTELS

When making a reservation at a hotel, always ask the hotel if they cater for diabetics in terms of menus and beverages. It is a good idea to know how far is the nearest hospital and if the hotel has any medical trained staff on site.

GENERAL

It is also a very good idea to carry an information package with you with emergency information and contact details of a next of kin. We suggest having the following information in your information package:

• A list of names and contact details of your health team.
• Next of kin (friends and family) to contact in an emergency
• A list of medications with dosages
• A list where you name all allergies to medication and foodstuff
• A history of your medical condition
• Prescription for more medication should you be in need of more or lose your medication while traveling, don’t pack it all together.

It’s also a good idea to have a Glycaemic Indexing Book with you in order to balance your menu and not eat the wrong food.

ALWAYS DO….

Pack extra medications.

When planning a trip, always make sure that you have enough medication for the trip, and more…..

Always have more medication as baggage can always get stolen, or it can get wet or lost. Delays are also a big possibility, it might snow and all the airports might be locked down and all flights grounded. Imagine being caught in Hurricane Katrina….. with no medication. It surely is not something nice to think about, but it’s reality and it’s better to come prepared.

If you’re Insulin dependant, make sure you have enough syringes, needles, lancets, dextro-stix , alcohol swabs and spare batteries for your glucometer.

Pack snacks

It is a good idea to pack some extra snacks to chew on during the flight should you feel your blood sugar getting too low. Some cheese, nuts, fruit juice or candy are examples of good snacks that is easily transported and safe to take during your flight.

Wear Your Medic Alert Bracelet

A Medic-Alert bracelet can be read in any language. Any trained medical professional coming to your aid is trained to immediately search for a bracelet or some form of identification of your disease and allergies. Wearing your bracelet will enable them to immediately identify that you are a diabetes sufferer and will save valuable time and effort.

Also learn to say “I am diabetic” or “I have Diabetes” in the language of the country you are visiting. This basic phrase might save your life in a time of emergency.

Tips on how to make your trip more comfortable

Move around

When taking long flights, it is crucial to keep the circulation in your legs going. It is advisable to stand up and move around the plane every hour in order to keep the circulation going.

Wear comfortable shoes

Sufferers of diabetes has a risk of having infections and non-healing wounds on their feet, thus always wear soft cushioned socks specially designed for diabetics while on vacation. Walking bare foot is a health risk and can cause unwanted injury and medical problems. Always wear shoes to protect your feet, whether you’re inside or out in the field.

Be prepared

When going out for a leisurely stroll, always make sure that you have some snacks with to boost your sugar levels. You might think that it will only take 5 minutes, but you might see something interesting or enjoy the holiday activities and 5 minutes can very easily become a couple of hours. If you have not prepared for this, you might find yourself in some warm water.

Conclusion

Vacations abroad can be a lot of fun, but can also be life threatening if you are not well prepared for it. Keep in mind that it is an unfamiliar territory for you and you should be well aware of the area you will be visiting, the roads you will be traveling as well as the transport, shops, pharmacies and doctors in the area. Just plan well, and there should be no fear of visiting any country.

If you have a young child that has just been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, you are probably in a state of shock. You do not have to be afraid. You will not have to deal with your child’s health problems alone. There will be plenty of health professionals that will be by your side guiding you through the learning states on how to provide the best care for your child with diabetes.

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare when they find out their beloved child is sick with a life altering disease such as juvenile diabetes. As you navigate the scary waters of glucose monitoring and insulin shots, you will learn that your child can still live a happy life and it is not going to be the end of the world for them or for you. Give yourself a little time to emotionally adjust to the news and then get on with learning how to help your child cope with it.

If you stay calm and do not freak out, your child will be better able to handle what is happening to him or her. They will be reassured that you are going to support them all the way and will be there for them no matter what. Sure, you will need to learn how to help your child check their own blood sugar levels and you will need to put them on a meal schedule that is dependable, but life is not going to be over for your family.

Type 1 or Juvenile Diabetes is an autoimmune disease. The body tries to destroy the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. Insulin injections will be prescribed that can be lifesaving. But what the doctor will not tell you is that there are other ways to cope with juvenile diabetes that can be of great help also. God has given us herbs as medication for the body and there are many natural supplements that can be used to help fight juvenile diabetes too. Some really spectacular diabetes turn a rounds have been seen with the use of botanicals, herbs, minerals and vitamins to help control blood sugar levels.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with the need to protect your child and provide the best possible care for him or her, do not be afraid to learn about natural cures for this dreaded disease. You can take an active role in providing the best care for your child with diabetes by searching for natural ways to cure this disease as well as make sure they are getting adequate medical care too.