Lifestyle / Healthy Living and Diabetes Flashcards
What do we mean by a healthy lifestyle?
Eat well balanced diet
Don’t smoke
Regular physical activity
Moderate alcohol use (?little and often)
Don’t use recreational drugs
Good work / life balance
Learn to deal with stress appropriately
Why does alcohol excess increase the risk of diabetes?
Because of damage to the pancreas
What is the main dietary component that needs monitoring in diabetic patients?
Carbohydrates
Simple carbohydrates have to be eaten in moderation - to manage glycaemic control
What is healthy eating?
Avoid missing meals too often
Include starchy carbohydrate at each meal (wholegrains)
Eat fruit and vegetables 5 servings
Include more beans and lentils
2 portions oily fish
Limit sugar and sugary foods
Reduce salt to 6g or less (1tsp)
3 portions of dairy / alternative
Low saturated fats
Avoid diabetic foods
What is the measurement of how quickly sugar enters the blood after digestion?
Glycaemic index
What does quick acting insulin dose depend on?
The carbohydrate in the food that the patient is about to eat
What is diabulimia?
Combination of diabetes and an eating disorder
What is associted with diabulimia?
Recurrent DKA
Insulin omission
High morbidity and mortality
What is the effect of alcohol on blood sugar?
Alcohol reduces glycogenolysis
Alcohol contains calories - results in rise followed by a fall in glucose
More than 2-3 units at a time increases the risk of a hypo
What is the guidace about alcohol for those who are diabetic?
Eat before and snack at bedtime
Same limit as general population
What are the risks attached to smoking?
Smokers die 10 years before non-smokers
Smoking increases the risk of diabetes 1.5 times
Smoking increases risk of macrovascular disease (at least doubles)
Smoking increases the risk of all complications
What is the current advice for diabetic patients who are wanting to use recreational drugs?
Avoid dehydration
Monitor glucose
Don not omit insulin/carbohydrate
What are the benefits of exercise?
Cardiovascular benefit
Reduces cancer risk
Consumes energy
Builds lean tissue and consumes fat
Improves strength, endurance, balance and flexibility
Improves mood and self esteem
Can be sociable
What are the general recommended levels of exercise for the general population?
• Moderate exercise 2.5 - 3 hours per week translates into a 30% reduction in most major diseases.
OR
•Vigorous exercise 75 mins per week
PLUS
- Strength training on 2 or more days
- More exercise is more protective
- Children should do 60mins / day
- Consider sedentary time
How do people with diabetes alter management when performing exercise?
Reduce insulin before and after
Eat more
Use different insulin regimen
