Diabetes may be seen as a hindrance in your life, but with a few techniques you can manage it and live a healthy and happy life. Despite the physical limitations it presents, with the right medical intervention and prevention on your own behalf, you can make diabetes just a small part of your life that isn’t so bothersome.
When looking for a substitute for something sweet, make it yourself! For example, if you don’t want to eat sugary store bought relish since it will spike your blood sugar and set your diabetes off, then make your own by chopping up dill pickles. Need a replacement for ketchup? Try mixing pureed tomatoes and honey.
Herbal tea is a great drink for diabetics as it contains many wonderful nutrients and can taste so good you don’t even think about adding cream or sugar. Be sure to check the ingredients as some manufacturers will add sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Don’t use alcohol swabs on your skin before you give yourself an injection of insulin. They will dry out your skin and cause you more trouble than they’re worth, which will make you even less happy about having to take your treatment. As long as you clean your skin with soap and water, you should be fine.
If you feel someone is giving you unwelcome advice about diabetes, ask them to back off. If you do it politely they won’t be offended, and you won’t have to listen to them rattle on about things you either don’t care about or already know. If you have the knowledge to back it up then you’ll become the master of your domain!
Do not skip meals, especially breakfast. When you let too much time lapse between meals or skip a meal completely, you risk having your blood glucose levels drop too low. Diabetics who eat breakfast, lunch and dinner without skipping any meals are much more likely to have normal glucose readings.
Diabetes causes you higher blood-glucose levels, which also affects how much glucose is in your saliva. You have to take extra care of your gums and teeth to keep the rot and decay away. Floss and brush regularly, and make sure to see your dentist twice a year for cleaning.
When buying your Diabetes medicines, ask for as much as possible at one time. The fee that is added when the pharmacist dispenses your prescription is the same whether you buy 30 days or 90. Therefore, spreading that cost out over multiple days will also reduce the per-dose cost of your medications.
To reduce your risk of heart disease, carefully monitor your triglyceride cholesterol and blood pressure levels. One of the most common complications of diabetes is heart disease, and the best way to avoid that risk is to set goals for all of these levels and then, stick to them. Ask your doctor where your levels should be.
If you find that your A1C levels are disproportionately higher than your typical blood glucose levels, the problem may be that you are measuring your pre-meal levels, which does not give you an accurate reading. Your average levels may not accurately reflect readings that are taken before, during, and after eating your meals.
If you suffer from diabetes and you are on Metformin, beware of lactic acidosis. This is a rare, but deadly condition that occurs when lactic acid develops in the bloodstream faster than in can be removed. This is more common in older people who take Metofrmin and symptoms include extreme weakness and severe nausea.
If you’re feeling burned out by your diabetes care don’t brush your feelings aside! Ignoring your emotions can lead to you slipping in your care, which can in turn lead to more serious health problems. If you’re stressed it will also be more difficult to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Talk to your doctor when you’re feeling overwhelmed, and work together to find a way to simplify your diabetes management.
If you have a family history of diabetes, make sure to have your blood sugar and insulin levels checked at least twice a year. Research has shown that people with a family history of diabetes are at a much higher risk of developing the condition than those with not family history of it.
Make wise decisions in your choices for treating to low glucose levels. If your levels are less than 70 milligrams per deciliter, the ADA advises you to consume a food or drink with about 15 grams of sugars. Opt for something that can easily and quickly be absorbed by your body, such as hard candy or jellybeans.
If you have diabetes, and you plan on getting pregnant or are pregnant already, it is crucial that you take extra folic acid. Babies born to a diabetic mother are more likely to develop birth defects than those born to healthy mothers and folic acid can reduce the risk of birth defects.
If you are a diabetic and you are trying to conceive a baby, visit a preconception diabetes clinic. Women have diabetes may have problems conceiving or carrying a baby and these clinics can give you valuable advice about foods, diets, and medications to assist you in having a healthy pregnancy.
Watch out for liquid sugars. It is just as important for diabetics to watch what they drink as it is to watch what they eat. High-fructose corn syrup found in soft drinks is especially harmful to diabetics, and while fruit juices can be healthy, they can also cause a dangerous spike in blood sugar and should be consumed in moderation. Water is the best choice when you are thirsty, followed by unsweetened beverages.
Keeping up with your restrictions and following a doctor’s directions will help you control your diabetes the best you can. Sure, there may be complications, but they will be few and far between if you take a few preventative measures. Lots of people have this disorder and lead happy and healthy lives, and I’m sure you will too!
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