Diabetes and Your Health Diabetes is when the body can't process sugar properly. Juvenile diabetes develops in childhood must be treated with insulin. Adult onset diabetes often develops in overweight adults. This type of diabetes can sometimes be eliminated or controlled by diet and weight loss. Diabetes results in circulation problems due to blood vessel damage. Women with diabetes are especially at risk, as high blood pressure and high cholesterol tend to go hand in hand with diabetes in women. What Can You Do? If you have a family history of diabetes and/or you are overweight, ask your doctor to test your blood sugar levels. Lose weight if you are overweight. Eat a balanced diet, reduce fat and eat more high-fibre foods and complex carbohydrates. If your doctor has prescribed medication (e.g. insulin or an oral tablet) to control your diabetes, take it exactly as directed. Monitor your blood sugar at home using glucometers and test strips (ask your doctor or diabetes educator for instructions). Notify your doctor if you cannot keep your blood sugar in control. Get active! Check with your doctor before changing your level of activity. For more information about diabetes, call your local branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association or the American Diabetes Association.   | Home | Arthritis | Heart Disease | Stroke | Healthy Lifestyle | | Exercise | Alcohol | Weight | Smoking | Cholesterol | Stress | | Bayer Product Info | About Bayer Inc. | E-mail Bayer | | Return to HealthyWay |