4 common questions about diabetes

Do you have questions about your diagnosis? Here are some answers to four commonly asked questions.

Have you ever heard someone say that they're an alcoholic, even though they haven't had a drink for 20 years? What they're saying is that even though they are controlling their situation, they likely would fall into problems again if they allowed themselves to resume any kind of drinking. Diabetes is similar.

• While you can keep it under control and live normally, the fact is, you must maintain healthy habits to keep the condition at bay.
• Through a smart diet and exercise plan — along with the right medication, if needed — you can keep your numbers at safe and normal levels for decades to come.
• But if you stop controlling your diabetes — for example, go back to a sedentary lifestyle or an unhealthy diet — your blood glucose will inevitably climb to unhealthy levels.
• For some, age inevitably brings a progression of the disease.

There is a very close link between diabetes and high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and even heart attacks and stroke.

• The reason is simple: high blood sugar is damaging to arteries, making it more likely that cardiovascular problems take hold.
• The great news is that what's good for your heart is good for diabetes management.
• Eat healthfully, exercise, manage stress, sleep longer, maintain a positive attitude: the lifestyle prescription for a healthy heart is pretty much the same as it is for stable blood sugar.

Start by working to improve your blood pressure. Aim for a reading below 130/80 mmHg for best protection.

• In one big British study, better blood pressure cut stroke risk 44 percent for people with type 2 diabetes.
• If your blood pressure is above these levels, focus first on weight loss and regular exercise.
• Cutting back on sodium (found in high levels in fast food, processed foods and restaurant meals); following a diet focussed on produce, low-fat dairy products and lean protein; drinking alcohol only in moderation (one drink a day for women, up to two for men); and quitting tobacco can all help.
• It's also not unusual for people with diabetes to be taking medication to help lower blood pressure. Don't be surprised if your doctor suggests that for you.
• Finally, wear a pedometer, which measures how many steps you take in a day. It's one of the best motivators for getting you up and moving.

Feed them healthy food. In particular, wean them off of sugary foods and drink, like soft drinks, cookies, candy and huge slices of birthday cake. The evidence is clear how damaging all that sugar is to their health.  Likewise, get them away from super-salty foods, like chips or pretzels.

• You might not have liked how your parents forced you to eat vegetables, but that is a parental duty of even greater importance today than when you were growing up!
• Just as importantly, make sure your child gets lots of physical activity. Kids are supposed to be outdoors, playing and running and exploring. Their bodies thrive on activity.
• Limit television, computer and computer-game time to two hours a day. Or make a deal: They can spend as much time on electronics as they spend running around outside.

Understand diabetes with this handy guide and remember to contact your doctor for more information.