If you’re one of the many people out there that is trying to learn how to control their diabetes, but aren’t sure how to go about it then look no further. The key to learning how to control your diabetes is to remember that learning as much as possible and applying that knowledge is the best strategy for success. If you do that then you should be well on your way to success.
Diabetics should increase the amount of fiber in their diet to help lose weight and keep regular. Fiber also has been shown to not raise blood sugar after a meal, so it can fill you up without giving you a sugar spike. There are many fruit and vegetables which have high fiber, so try to include them in your regular meals.
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.
Keep track of all the medicines you are taking for your Diabetes and any other condition you have in case you ever need to know. You should carry with you information on their names, dosages, and how often you are taking them in case something happens to you when you’re out, or a doctor you’re visiting requests that information.
Quit smoking. Try again if you’ve tried before. Nicotine constricts your blood vessels. Diabetes already have a problem with circulation to the extremeties; that’s what leads to vision problems and the need for amputations. Smoking increases these risks, as well as being bad for your health overall. Ask your doctor for some resources to help you quit.
Find a free clinic in your area to have your Diabetes monitored if you can’t afford to visit your doctor every three months. You can call your local Diabetes association, ask at a local hospital, or inquire through your Health Department, to find out where the closest clinic is to you.
Find out if your state government offers neighborhood health services where you can get discounted medical treatment, supplies, and prescriptions to help you battle your Diabetes. Some states also offer discounted health insurance, which can be an even bigger help by allowing you to seek treatment in your own city or town.
If you have a family history of heart disease, strokes or hardened arteries, you should be especially vigilant in controlling your blood glucose levels. Well-maintained levels can delay the onset of these and other medical conditions, and can also decrease your odds of developing these diseases as you get older.
There is no cure for Type II Diabetes. You may be able to keep it at bay by losing the fat that causes insulin resistance, but it will always be there waiting for you to give it a foothold to take your body back over. Stay on track with your diet changes and increase in exercise for the rest of your life.
Educate yourself. Being diagnosed with diabetes can be a scary prospect, so seek out information in order to be prepared and know what to expect. You can look into a class at your local community college, or check with the American Diabetes Association, as they have a team of educators who hold informational meetings you can attend.
To decrease the effect sugars and carbohydrates have on your body, consume plenty of fiber. Fiber works as a sort of natural buffer that will help keep your blood sugar down even when you’ve eaten things that normally make it spike. If you’ve eaten something you shouldn’t, a quick fiber rich snack can help counteract its effects.
If you have type 2 diabetes, and the medication you are taking is not helping as well as you had hoped, don’t stress too much. Many diabetics need insulin, and they now make insulin pens that will control your blood sugar better than the syringes do. Make sure they are covered by your insurance company before getting one, because it does seem to be something insurance companies will not always approve.
If you have diabetes and you plan on traveling, you should remember to take along your insulin in an insulated bag. You want to make sure that your insulin stays at the correct medium temperature. Using an insulated bad will protect you insulin from extreme hot or cold temperatures.
If you are a diabetic who has never smoked, or who has not smoked in 6 months, you may want to talk with your doctor about using an inhaled insulin treatment. Recent medical studies have shown that inhaled insulin may be more effective in treating diabetes than pills or injections.
Diabetes is no fun condition to live with. You have to just about completely change your lifestyle. This includes your diet. Most people with diabetes cannot consume sugar, so they avoid it. However, sugar is not just in sweet things and products that have sugar listed in their ingredients. Sugar is in starchy food as well. It just is not in the form of it yet. When your body breaks down starchy foods, it turns it into glucose, which is sugar. So my tip for people with diabetes is to avoid starchy foods because once in your body, they turn into very sugary foods!
If you have diabetes, read up on a great new discovery! The artificial pancreas has been created! It delivers insulin to your system without injections and tests so far, have found it to be very effective and safe. If you are looking for an alternative to traditional insulin delivery systems, be sure to ask your doctor about this technological miracle.
Now that you have a better idea of how to go about controlling your diabetes you should already be thinking of strategies you can apply to your everyday life. Remember that you’re only going to get your diabetes under control if you apply all your knowledge on a daily basis, then you should start living a more comfortable life.