In this video, Dr. Kramer explains the difference between appropriate and inappropriate candidates for insulin, and why insulin sometimes causes weight gain. Do you take insulin or were you advised to take it?
Comment below to let us know if you found this video helpful.
MEDICAL ADVICE DISCLAIMER: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her health care provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation, or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
You are absolutely right, prevention is the key. There are 79 million Americans with prediabetes. If they are unwilling to change their lifestyle, they are destined to develop diabetes within the next 10 years. Patients with prediabetes are more likely to have strokes and heart attacks, become blind, develop kidney failure, and suffer an amputation. When they cross over to full blown diabetes, they become even more likely to develop these complications. In addition to losing weight and exercising, they need to stop smoking which also increases the risks for heart attacks and strokes. If they would change lifestyle, they may lower their chance of developing frank diabetes by 60% over the next ten years.
Hi Dr Kramer,
Glad to see someone creating awareness of a chronic condition like diabetes.
I do believe prevention is way better than finding the cure for something once you have it. Unfortunately, we’re literally killing ourselves in the name of taste, convenience, efficiency, and what not.
Yasser
I do not know your exact circumstances and hope you have a health care provider you can trust enough to follow their recommendations. Diabetes type 2 is a progressive disease and as time goes on your pancreas will be able to produce less and less insulin. Life style changes, diet and exercise is the keystone and when it stops working medication may be necessary. It is important to balance the benefit of the recommended medications against the risk of side affects. Many people want to rely on medication and not follow the other recommendations. The risk of diabetes increases as blood sugar control worsens. Do the best you can in all areas of your life as well as for treatment of this disease. Remember you are a person who has diabetes, not just a diabetic. Good luck!
Dr. Sybil a real supportive force in our industry…
I agree with the information that is available to us on this subject can be overwhelming. That is when confusion will set in and make all readers skeptical.
I have been controlling my diabetes by diet and yesterday my Dr. call to place me on a pill. I do not believe in taking a pill for all solutions. I understand that this is a journey which there is not one solution for each situation for controlling and hopefully eliminating this diabetes,
Dr. Sybil this information came at a time that has awakening me. I understand how things are working and many different solutions may become available in the near future. However, we must be patient and practice persistence in our activities to eliminate this disease.
I look forward to your next amazing post. Thank you for sharing. It was much needed and timely.
Hi Emma, welcome to our website. I hope the information on the site will help you to better understand your Mom’s disease and enable you to help her. It is important to encourage her to work with her health care professional and to implement all the tools including diet and exercise. Insulin has helped many people, but people still need to help themselves by utilizing all the tools at their disposal. Best of Luck and I will check out the website you suggested. Sybil
I am sorry for your losses. Unfortunately, Diabetes is not just about sugar. The complications of this disease include heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness, and loss of limb. When people die from a complication, the complication is often listed as the cause of death rather than listing Diabetes as its cause. The misery caused by this disease is still underestimated. Thank you so much for Sharing. Sybil
Wow there is so much we still don’t understand about this disease. I do understand how it can take the lives of loved ones having lost an aunt and uncle and grandmother to it’s complications. Maybe one day we can find a cure to this terrible disease.
Steve
Hi Dr Kramer,
The topic of diabetes is really interesting to me. My Mum has it (and has to inject insulin) and apparently I’m a candidate because I have had problems with my pancreas.
I’m really happy to have come across a blog dedicated to diabetes!
Have you heard of PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine )? They have a whole section on diabetes you might like.
I think in my Mum’s case insulin was definitely needed but I’m hoping now the need will decrease with her dietary changes.
All the best,
Emma