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.

Diabetic children can often feel ostracized or different than their classmates. You must remind your child that everyone is different, and that they’re just like any children with peanut allergies or a pair of glasses. Their Diabetes is just a bump in their life, not a hurdle, and they’ll be a stronger person some day for working hard at keeping it at bay.

Do you know what your A1C is? If you’re Diabetic, you should know it along with your weight. This number indicates how well you’ve been controlling your blood sugar over the long-term, which will tell you if you need to be checking your fasting blood glucose levels more often to see what’s going on.

There are many Diabetic communities throughout the nation, so ask your doctor to find one nearby for you to visit. You’ll find that the people who attend have great tips and tricks that they’re using, and the medical personnel who attend can answer all of your questions. They’re all in the same boat as you and are there to support you in your journey!

Many health care providers offer diabetic classes for patients who want to be informed on their treatments. Find one in your area and get educated so you can take your treatment under control and know why you’re being given what has been prescribed to you. You never know, it may save your life!

If you suffer from diabetes it is absolutely critical that you monitor the amount of alcohol you drink. Cutting back on alcohol consumption is one of the best things a diabetic can do to improve their health. Alcohol is loaded with empty calories and fast acting carbohydrates. These fast acting carbohydrates quickly raise blood sugar levels in the body and this, in turn, can lead to type II diabetes complications.

Engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes five days a week. Not only will this help to get you fit, it will aid in lowering your A1C level. The ideal level is lower than 7 percent. Use this tip to help keep your A1C level in this targeted range.

It can be hard to get enough exercise in when you’re traveling, so plan for some hiking or walks to explore your new environment. Go swimming in the hotel pool, or even take an hour at the gym. Walking through the mall or a museum can even serve as some extra movement.

Try to avoid alcohol when you are diabetic. Even small amounts of alcohol, especially beer, can dangerously raise your blood sugar. Many doctors are in agreement that having a glass of wine once in awhile is okay for diabetics, just do not have more than one glass and do not drink it everyday.

If you have diabetes, it is important that you take care of your feet. Simple cuts can turn into infections for diabetics, which in turn can cause serious health problems, such as gangrene and even amputation. Check your feet daily and if you notice any cuts or other irregularities, see your doctor.

To avoid developing more serious health problems because of your diabetes, be sure to take any prescribed medication as directed. Keeping track of medication can be a challenge, but it’s vital to maintaining your health. If your medications have troublesome side effects, see your doctor immediately, and don’t discontinue the medication without their okay.

Cut down on simple carbohydrates. These foods, such as pasta and bread, cause your blood sugar levels to spike which may cause hyperglycemia and a need for more insulin; that may result in a hypoglycemic episode. Stick to complex carbohydrates such as whole grains in order to keep your blood sugar stable.

If you are planning to travel via plane, take additional precautions to protect your insulin during the trip. If your insulin is in a piece of luggage that is checked, you risk that it is exposed to especially hot or cold, even freezing, temperatures. Always keep it with you when you fly.

Being diabetic does not mean that you must fully give up your favorite sweets, but it does mean that you must be more diligent in selecting and consuming them. To compensate for a sweet splurge, you may need to step up your exercise program, reducing your dietary intake of another sweet food, or taking more insulin.

When it comes to diabetes, it is important that you do all that you can to prevent it by having a healthy lifestyle. This is important because this disease can be prevented simply by eating a well balanced diet and getting enough exercise. You owe it to yourself to keep yourself healthy.

One of the leading causes of Type II diabetes is the overconsumption of soda. Soda has a high amount of sugar, and many people just don’t realize just how much they consume (ridiculously large cups sizes are a factor!). Drinking large amounts everyday soon begins to have a toll on our bodies, and this may be hidden for some time. If you are one of the millions of Americans that drink soda everyday, the simple change of limiting your consumption to one small serving daily, can save your health and extend your life by many years.

You can deal with dry skin caused by diabetes. Many diabetics find that their skin becomes dry and itchy. The cause is due to the body controlling blood sugar levels, by pulling fluids out of the skin in order to dilute sugar in the blood. There are many products available to help with a diabetic’s dry skin, but be sure to get fragrance-free products, as this can irritate sensitive skin further.

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!