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ADA Guidelines for Diabetes Treatment

Diabetes is a chronic and life-threatening but treatable disorder. According to the American Diabetes Association, 23.6 million people in the United States, or 8% of the population, have diabetes.The ADA has produced a set of guidelines to help people successfully treat and live with this condition.

  1. Symptoms

    • ADA guidelines recommend becoming knowledgeable about the symptoms of diabetes, which include increased hunger; increased thirst; increased urination; fatigue; sudden and unexplained weight loss; irritability and and blurry vision.

    Diagnosis

    • ADA guidelines recommend a diagnosis of diabetes be made based on symptoms, including a fasting glucose greater than 126, a random glucose greater than 200 and a HgA1c greater than 6 percent.

    Nutrition

    • ADA guidelines recommend maintaining a healthy weight with lots of fruits and non-starchy vegetables; fish; lean meats; non-fat dairy; whole grains; dried beans and water. The ADA says that no food is "off-limits" as long as it is a part of a balanced diet.

    Exercise

    • ADA guidelines recommend daily exercise to make the body more sensitive to insulin; to burn more glucose; to reduce the amount of insulin or oral medication needed; to maintain a healthy weight; lower blood pressure; to build stronger bones and to manage stress.

    Prevention

    • ADA guidelines recommend understanding risk factors such as glucose; obesity; stress; blood pressure and cholesterol level.

    Warning

    • According to the ADA, poorly controlled diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, hypertension, eye damage, nerve damage, poor healing injuries, coma and death.

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