Nutrition Feature: Diabetes FAQ's On Diabetes: I am a 29 year-old woman suffering from diabetes.Lst month I gave birth to a healthy child.Following my doctor's advice he's being breast-fed despite my diabetic diet.But for the last few days I'm feeling very weak.Sometimes I even have vertigo.Is it because of my diabetes? Or breast feeding? Jessy Jones, via e-mail. Your vertigo has nothing to do with breast feeding.It might be due to uncontrolled diabetes, or hypertension, or some other illness.As you are breastfeeding you should be treated only with insulin.However you must not take any oral antidiabetic drugs, because the drugs get secreted through breast milk, and thus enter the baby's body.You should follow a diet enriched with adequate protein and calorie, so that you can nurse your child properly. ********************************************* My Father-in-law has been suffering from type 2 diabetes for the past 3 years.Although his condition is very much under control,I would still prefer to know how to control hypoglycemia and what its symptoms are.I've heard it is a common diabetic problem.Please explain. Mrs.A D'Silva, Goa,India. Hypoglycemia is a complication, which is extremely coomon and maybe seen in either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.It is a common side effect of treatment with insulin or sulfonylureas.It is usually precipitated by inadequate food intake or by excessive exercise.The signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include sweating, palpitaions, tremor and later on confusion, behavioral changes and finally coma.These symptoms are individualised and maybe different for different individuals.Hypoglycemia can cause seizures, strokes and thus neurological deficits.Hence, it should be treated immediately with oral glucose, which maybe in the form of a fruit juice, a soft drink or glucose powder in water.If the patient is unable to swallow, intravenous glucose maybe required.More Info On Hypoglycemia: ********************************************* I am a 60 year-old man suffering from diabetes for the last 2 decades.I am being forced to live on a bland diet even though I have been a gourmet since my youth.Is there a way to add some excitement to my diet chart? George Johnson, via e-mail. Current medical wisdom doesnt impose any ban on any particular foodstuff for diabetics.On the contrary, it calls for a diet perfectly balanced in terms of calorie and nutritional constituents which should be uniformly distributed throughout the day.Nowadays we also allow diabetics to have simple sugar to the extent of 30g per day.But mind it that the sugar should not be consumed at a time and should be taken with complex carbohydrates like chapatti, breads, rice and so on.You can have sweet drinks and artificial sweeteners.In addition physical exercise like daily brisque walks can keep your calorie count under control.Check out some exciting recipes for diabetics. ********************************************* | 
