There are many pieces of literature out there you can read to get a quick introduction on diabetes, but few are offering any helpful tips you can use to learn about or control the disease. If you need some easy and accurate tips and tactics relating to diabetes, please read this article thoroughly.
Exercise is a key lifestyle habit for a diabetic person. You need to get moving as much as possible to help keep your weight at a reasonable level and your organs in tip-top shape. Try to go for a long walk after dinner or take the stairs at work instead of the elevator.
Hospitals will often have Diabetes clinics for local patients to attend, and they will have great advice for you. They’ll give you tools to track your blood sugar, nutritional information for your diet plan, and even exercise tips. They can also be a great support group for you and will answer any questions that you might have.
There are so many resources online for diabetics, including the American Diabetes Association, so make use of all they have to offer! Many have support groups, articles, research and even links to local educators, who can help you learn even more. Take the time to know what’s going on in your body and you’ll live a long, healthy life.
Test your sugar regularly, and track the results. Keeping a log book of your sugar levels will help you and your doctor decide if your medication and diet plan are working to control your sugar. You can save money by sharing a glucometer with a family member or friend, so long as you do not share lancets.
A dip in blood sugar is NOT an excuse to raid your fridge for goodies. Pick up some glucose tablets or small candies and take ONE OR TWO until your blood sugar is back in line. Eating a slice of cake will just make your blood sugar skyrocket, leading to a need for medication and weight gain.
The more you exercise, the more insulin sensitive you become. Even if you’re not feeling well or injured you’ll need to find something to do that gets your heart pumping. If your legs aren’t working, use your arms, or vice versa. Even rolling around on the floor can get your Diabetes in check.
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.
To better control your blood sugars, lose any excess weight. If you’re suffering from type 2 diabetes even a small decrease in weight can significantly improve your condition. Try eating more non-processed foods and reducing your portion sizes. You can also try getting a moderate amount of aerobic exercises. All these things will help you manage your diabetes as you lose weight.
Try to avoid soda and other sugary drinks of you have diabetes. There are no health benefits from drinking these drinks and can in fact, cause your sugar levels to go higher. If you are going to drink juice, try to stick to ones that have no sugar in them.
If you have been diagnosed as a diabetic it would behoove you to get a medical bracelet indicating as such. You never want to end up in a situation where you are unresponsive, and god forbid, those caring for you don’t know you are diabetic and do something, like give you a dextrose IV that can make you even worse.
When you have diabetes, immaculate mouth care is not an option if you want healthy teeth and gums. Gum disease is much more prevalent in diabetics, and great care taken with your mouth can help you to have better dental health. Careful brushing and flossing and more frequent dental visits are important as well.
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.
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.
In most cases, gestational diabetes only lasts for the term of the pregnancy, but it is still essential to keep watch on your blood sugar levels at regular intervals. Women who develop gestational diabetes are more likely to develop a diabetic disorder later in life.
Protect your eyes! If you are Diabetic, keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible to lower your risk of developing a Diabetes related eye disease. Diabetes is actually one of the primary causes of developing blindness! It affects the blood vessels at the back of the eye. Surgery can be performed to correct eye damage, if it’s caught early! However, the best way – to prevent eye disease – is to consistently keep your blood sugar reasonable!
To reduce the risk of heart disease associated with diabetes, watch your fat intake. Avoiding unhealthy fats like saturated fats and trans fats is even more important for diabetics than for other people because of their association with heart disease. Replacing bad fats with good fats like olive oil is better for your overall health. Also, watch the amount of fats you eat, since weight control is an important part of diabetes control.
The odds here are great that you know more now than what you knew before, and that means that you’re well on your way to managing this dangerous disease you have. Knowledge is most certainly power in any conceivable scenario, especially when dealing with diabetes. Use what you’ve learned here and fight this disease.