Diabetes 101

My Dad was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes two weeks ago.

He has been hosptalized ever since with various complications resulting from the undiagnosed diabetes over the last few years.

What do we as a family need to know before he is discharged?

The nurses have been testing his Blood Sugar levels so he will need to learn how to monitor himself.
The doctor put him on insulin pills rather than injections.

My mom and I are just confused on what we need to look out for- carbs vs sugars; what to do when levels go high etc.

If you have any experience with Diabetes, can you help give us some starting info? Thanks so much!

Diabetes 101

it tough to hear a Diagnosis, sorry you are going through this. speak to the hospital nutritionist, most hospitals will run diabetes 101 classes if not ask where one can be found.
You need to figure out time of the day he spikes so you can adjust food intake.
some people with high sugars at night should not eat fruit in the AM, exercises will help lower his numbers but not until the next day. veggies like peas, corn turn to sugar, but lots of fruit as well which is why most people must limit.

if the hospital cant help locate a class of nutritionist your PCP can.
I cant help with levels...

GL

Message edited 10/11/2014 8:27:18 PM.

Re: Diabetes 101

Read the book wheat belly--I have read of many people reversing diabetes through diet (no grains, refined sugars, limited fruit) and exercise. Good luck!

ETA: here's a study stating that type 2 diabetes can be reversed. Diabetes study

Message edited 10/14/2014 9:38:32 AM.

Re: Diabetes 101

Any book on the Glycemic Index will help tremendously. Essentially all food has "sugar" in one form or another, and it is key to survival. You can't go on a "no sugar diet". That's basically just water, then. The glycemic index explains fast sugar vs. slow sugar. Fruits and candy get absorbed very quickly and cause short, fast spikes. Grains and milk products are also sugar, but have a much slower absorption rate, so don't cause spikes (but can still raise blood sugar too high if not controlled).

There is no "curing" Type II diabetes. Every human's pancreas (except for us Type I diabetics) can handle a certain amount of body weight. Luckily for most people, that amount of body weight is very high, so it's never an issue. For some, like your dad, he's found his current limit. It's possible that if he loses weight, he will be below the limit his pancreas can handle, and can be off medication, but he wouldn't really be "cured".

I've been Type I for just about 30 years now, so it's not a terminal illness. If your dad stays on top of things, he can live a very long, very normal life. (that's a sugar free drink in his hand... )

Re: Diabetes 101

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Message edited 1/26/2016 12:54:12 AM.