Fighting diabetes...please help :(

Forums: Health
Email this Topic • Print this Page

My father is a 60 year old adult. He recently made a blood test and it turned out that his glucose level is 298 mg/dl (which is very very high) compared to the reference level which is 72 -> 110. He has diabetes, and it looks really severe to me.
We're planning to set him on a suitable diet, what he should eat and what shouldn't, reduce his intake of sugar (fruits, drink, bread..etc) .. and I need your help in guiding him through this. So please do provide me with the necessary scientific information or any sort of advice you might have regarding a suitable diet that should be followed, and possible names of suitable medicines and treatment methods.

Thank you in advance everyone..

Topic Stats
Top Replies
Link to this Topic

Type: Discussion • Score: 1 • Views: 3,130 • Replies: 12

No top replies

vonderjohn- What did his doctor say when he saw the results of the blood test? it is up to the doctor to decide if your dad's diabetes is severe enough to warrant medication, or simply dietary control. If his doctor does not want to deal with the illness, you need to find a specialist who treats diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association has a good website with lots of info:

http://www.diabetes.org/main/application/commercewf

0 Replies

vonderjohn, I agree with Phoenix; you must first get the advise of his doctor before you begin any diet change - or anything else. If he's unwilling to provide the info, seek another doctor that understands diabetis. If not properly handled, it can have many health consequences. c.i.

0 Replies

298 is much higher than his blood sugar should be but not outragously high. My daughter is a type 1 diabetic and I've looked at her logs from her meter readings and there are several in the 900+ area. You do have to remember that the blood sugar level changes constantly so it could be 298 one minute and 140 an hour or two later.

He really does need to get specifics from a doctor though. If he is a diabetic they'll put him on a carbohydrate controled diet and may prescribe medication. The diet isn't really all that bad. You can find "lite" versions of most high carb foods (breads, pasta, etc..) that have little or no carbs in them. The change in diet becomes one of nutritional value instead of one of specific foods.

0 Replies

vonder--
Your doctor should be able to refer your dad to a Diabetes Specialist or a Nutritionist.

Many of my former clients developed diabetes, and I sat in with them, as they were instructed about proper diet for diabetes.

I was surprised to find out that carbohydrates are the big baddie. Breads, pastas, potatoes etc turn into sugar in the body. They will give your dad a list of good food and ones to avoid or decrease. If he is a bit of a hard-head (like most people are), it would be good for the rest of the family to have the list and 'help' him with his diet.

Regular walking helps, and he shouldn't trim his toenails. Any cuts or scrapes on his feet or toes should be checked by his doctor very quickly after they are discovered.

Good Luck!

0 Replies

Re: Fighting diabetes...please help Sad

vonderjohn wrote:

My father is a 60 year old adult. He recently made a blood test and it turned out that his glucose level is 298 mg/dl (which is very very high) compared to the reference level which is 72 -> 110. He has diabetes, and it looks really severe to me.
We're planning to set him on a suitable diet, what he should eat and what shouldn't, reduce his intake of sugar (fruits, drink, bread..etc) .. and I need your help in guiding him through this. So please do provide me with the necessary scientific information or any sort of advice you might have regarding a suitable diet that should be followed, and possible names of suitable medicines and treatment methods.

Thank you in advance everyone..

I would like to advise you, to seek information from your MD, a nurse specialist or a pharmacist tried in diabetic medications.

There are a variety of methods to control diabetes , but without proper information concerning the patient's complete medical history & meds, it would not be appropriate for anyone to offer valid, medical advice. Rolling Eyes

0 Replies

Quote:

possible names of suitable medicines and treatment metho

ds.

This kind of information should only be offered by an internist ( MD) familar with the specific patient. :wink:

0 Replies

Sofia wrote:

vonder--
Your doctor should be able to refer your dad to a Diabetes Specialist or a Nutritionist.

Many of my former clients developed diabetes, and I sat in with them, as they were instructed about proper diet for diabetes.

I was surprised to find out that carbohydrates are the big baddie. Breads, pastas, potatoes etc turn into sugar in the body. They will give your dad a list of good food and ones to avoid or decrease. If he is a bit of a hard-head (like most people are), it would be good for the rest of the family to have the list and 'help' him with his diet.

Regular walking helps, and he shouldn't trim his toenails. Any cuts or scrapes on his feet or toes should be checked by his doctor very quickly after they are discovered.

Good Luck!

All starch-containing foods are degraded to glucose, maltose, maltotriose, etc upon digestion and subsequent hydrolysis. That's why, diabetics must montior their blood glucose levels and avoid foods that cause dramatic oscillations in their levels of blood glucose. :wink:

0 Replies

Vonder--

This disease belongs to your father. Is he senile or otherwise mentally ill? If not, he should be dealing with professionals about managing his disease.

How would you feel if you broke a leg and your father went on the internet for advice about exercise.

He has diabetes. He also has earned dignity.

Good luck to him, to you and to your family.

0 Replies

Thanks for your messages everyone, however:
I am not looking for meditation or perscriptions over here...I know this is not the place to look for that information and we're already in touch with a doctor. I'm only looking for "advice" as I said in my first message, and not more than that. It's just that we never got that sickness before in our family and it's new to me, so im looking for some information about it that would guide me to understand it better and know about the ways to deal with it, medically and nutrionally. I think I can find that kind of support here with you guys. Thanks Smile

0 Replies

vonder I hope you don't mind but I do want to say that noddy's post included one of the funniest things I've read:

"How would you feel if you broke a leg and your father went on the internet for advice.."

You clarified your position but I just had to applaud that line, it's verra funny.

0 Replies

vonderjon--

My husband is a brittle (frequently out of control) long term diabetic so I'm well aware of the limitations reality places on the good intentions of loving families.

Treating diabetes properly means giving up a lot of spontaneous living. Meals must be regular--and carefully planned. Blood sugar readings and insulin shots much be part of an inflexible routine.

All of the direct diabetic management is the problem of the patient--not the family.

How can the family help?

If anyone is over weight, they should peel off the pounds ASAP. Not only will this prove to your father that everyone cares about him, obesity--or even overweight--creates a predisposition to the disease.

Cooperate with your father's routine. Show up for meals on time--and if you don't, don't be offended if he starts without you.

Cultivate great enthusiasm for snacking on fruit and vegetables rather than candy, cakes, pastries, etc. Enjoy the occasional sugary treat, but not in front of your father.

Sympathize (endlessly if necessary) at the loss of a spontaneous life style.

Give your mother--I presume it is your mother who will be the primary caregiver--some special treats and time alone. She may well be making violent adjustments in cooking habits she has honed and perfected over the years. She'll need some sympathy, too.

Learn the symptoms of insulin shock and sugar shock--and how to tell which is which--and be prepared to deal with them. Keep in mind, one of the symptoms of either condition is irrationality.

Good luck. Hold your dominion.

0 Replies

fishin' wrote:

My daughter is a type 1 diabetic and I've looked at her logs from her meter readings and there are several in the 900+ area.

....when you reaches the 500 level you get a shock!
Is your daughter still alive??
Hope so
:s

0 Replies

Fighting diabetes...please help :(

Related Topics

Quick Links

My Account

able2know