Diabetes is a lifelong disease that has no known cure. Dealing with this chronic condition can often feel overwhelming, and it is only natural. Effectively managing your disease requires considerable effort on your part and often, necessitates a dramatic change in your lifestyle. The more you know about managing diabetes, the easier it will be to cope with your diagnosis.
Diabetics need to avoid ketchup like the plague. I know it’s tasty, I love it to death, but it’s so full of sugar both from the tomatoes and the high fructose corn syrup that it’s more of a curse than a pleasure. I like to replace it with yellow mustard as it has little to no sugar added.
Diabetics can have problems in their eyes due to their condition, so make sure you go to the optometrist for testing at least once a year. Many optometrists have special machines, which can look inside your eyeball to check for the typical damage of a diabetic, and can sometimes diagnose your disease before you even have symptoms!
If your doctor tells you that your Diabetes pills aren’t doing enough to keep your blood glucose levels in check, don’t panic. You won’t necessarily have to use needles as insulin pens are now available that give you the dose you need without being painful. If you can’t afford these pens, some pharmaceuticals have programs to assist you like Needy Meds.
Unless you drive a car that lacks air conditioning in super hot summer temperatures, or are on a safari in Africa, you probably don’t need ice packs for your insulin. If you’re worried about leaving it in the car at the mall, take it with you! I doubt you’ll have so much that it won’t fit in your purse, pocket, or bag.
Test your blood sugar before bed if you are Diabetic. It’s important to eat something if your sugar is low to make sure you’ll be okay over the long night until the morning. If your blood sugar is just right then it’s advisable to take a few bites of something to keep it up until you wake.
If you’re trying to keep your Diabetes under control, eating right is very important. Buying fruits and vegetables in season can help you eat healthy foods while not spending more than your budget allows. Root vegetables are best to eat in winter, while berries would be cheapest in the summer months.
If you start to have vision problems, you need to talk to your doctor. Diabetes is associated with a number of eye problems, including cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. It is critical that you address any vision issues as soon as they appear because diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness.
To help yourself harmful foods during the holiday season, eat a low glycemic index snack before heading out to parties. This will curb your appetite and will help you to only enjoy treats in moderation. Splurge only on the foods you love the most, and avoid snacks like dips and crackers.
If you are battling illness, you should increase the frequency of your glucose readings. When your body is devoting its resources to fighting off infection, blood sugars can fluctuate in response to the physical and emotional stress that is often linked with sickness. Check glucose and urine ketone levels as often as six times daily during your illness.
You must consider fruit and high-glycemic index vegetables very carefully when planning a diet for Diabetes. Many fruits contain a LOT of sugar, which can affect your blood glucose adversely. Vegetables can cause the same problems, especially in juice form, including carrots, peas, and corn. Try to stick to low GI items like broccoli or apples which are rich in fiber.
Many people will tell you that “natural” sugars are safer for your Diabetes than refined sugar. However, sugar is still sugar. My Step-Mother told me I should put honey on my food as it’s perfectly fine… wrong! My blood sugar still spiked sky high afterward. Always double check the “medical” advice you receive from family and friends hen it comes to your diabetes.
To sate your sweet tooth without putting your health at risk, cut any unnecessary carbohydrates from your diet. Reducing your carbohydrate intake can be enough to make a small cookie or a slice of pie okay. Talk to your doctor about your diet and see how many carbohydrates you’d have to cut in order to enjoy your favorite sweets.
By way of advice one of the best suggestions for a diabetic is to know themselves. You know better than anybody how your body will react to that small ice cream, or how low your blood sugars will get if you wait to long for your meal. Know yourself, and use that knowledge to more effectively manage your diabetes.
Diabetes is known to be a cause of nerve damage in extremities particularly in the feet. Besides taking your Diabetic medications, you should therefore take extra care of your feet. Wash your feet on a daily basis and make sure to keep them dry. In addition, avoid walking barefoot and wear sneakers or slippers. At the very least, keep your socks on.
The key to maintaining your health as you deal with Diabetes is to keep-up with your blood sugar levels. This requires several blood tests throughout the day, which can be performed with an over-the-counter device and testing strips. In addition, frequent check-ups with your doctor, to review blood glucose levels, can help you regulate your treatment, as well as, prevent further complications that may otherwise result from neglect!
An important tip for diabetic patients is to always strive for a sufficient amount of sleep each night. Sleep deprivation or deficit can prompt carbohydrate cravings, resulting in excess pounds, heart disease and other potential health issues that can exacerbate diabetes. Therefore, those who are able to sleep for seven or eight hours nightly are likely to have fewer complications.
A comprehensive education about diabetes, such as, its contributing factors, symptoms, and effects on your health, as well as techniques for its management, is necessary if your goal is to lead as full and healthy a life as possible. Countless diabetics have implemented the suggestions offered in this article with excellent results.
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