What do you think of when you hear “diabetes”? I always think of lots of sugar, soda and candy.
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What is Type I and Type II Diabetes?
To make it simple, Type I is a childhood disease. You are born with the inability to make insulin. So you must take insulin daily to survive.
Type II diabetes is seen more in the adult population. It affects someone who is usually overweight. The pancreas does not make enough insulin and the body does not respond to the normal amount of insulin the body produces.
Why Should CFers Care?
I know you are wondering what this has to do with cystic fibrosis. Well, in cystic fibrosis lung function is compromised and so is the pancreas. Since the pancreas produces insulin, individuals with CF may develop “CF-related diabetes,” or CFRD.
Individuals living with CFRD still need to maintain their weight. So continuing a high calorie, high fat, high protein, high salt diet is still the diet they need to follow. But carbohydrate intake needs to be closely monitored. Carbs turn into sugar when digested, so it’s important to watch those. One thing that may help is participating in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week.
So have YOU exercised today?
