Do you know what to eat, how much to exercise, and even how much you should be sleeping if you have diabetes? Use this article’s tips to help you combat this tough condition.
Simplify your life by developing your own daily diabetes routine. Place your insulin meter in the same location all of the time to ensure you can find it easier. When you are testing, do it at the same time each day, and keep a list nearby of the steps that must be completed so that you don’t skip any.
Make sure to read the nutrition labels as many common foods contain this. If it has corn syrup, back to the shelf it goes. When in Canada you will notice this product is called “glucose” or “fructose”.
Hypoglycemics should always have hard candy and sugary gum available in case of a hypoglycemic attack. Hypoglycemia can attack anywhere, so you should always be prepared. This is a potentially severe problem if you skip breakfast, so always eat a healthy breakfast and regular meals to reduce the risks.
If you are diabetic, and tend to be a snacker, it can be hard to resist the quick pick me ups that you see in vending machines, or sitting on your kitchen shelves. Pass up the Pop Tarts, though, and eat a veggie or fruit instead.
Eating Frequently
If you are suffering diabetes, its a good idea to enjoy several small meals throughout the day, instead of three substantial ones. When you are eating frequently through the day, you avoid large blood sugar fluctuations. Eating frequently decreases the chance of binging because you will feel much more satisfied.
If you have diabetes and you smoke, try to stop smoking. Smoking is bad for people in general, but it is even worse for those with diabetes because it can result in blood sugar being elevated to dangerous levels. The highly addictive nature of nicotine can make quitting a very difficult process. Seek advice from your doctor.
Glucose tablets can sometimes be beneficial to the person diagnosed with hypoglycemia. These tablets will help increase your sugar levels quickly and more effectively.
Rather than just giving up things you like, slightly change them. One of the hardest things to do as a diabetic is to adhere to a strict diet. The majority of diabetics think that they have to eliminate their favorite foods. Other people keep eating their favorites regardless of what their diet should be. The best thing to do is look at what you like to eat, and make substitutions. A lot of foods can be acceptable for a diabetes diet if healthier choices are made in place of problem ingredients.
Glucose Levels
Even if you don’t feel well and don’t want to eat, you need to eat low-GI foods every few hours, as well as check your blood glucose levels. Low glucose levels will lead to dehydration, so keep water handy.
Never rely only on urine ketone tests to measure the amount of glucose in your blood. Urine ketone testing is a blunt instrument; it can’t distinguish between levels of 200 mg/dL (high) and 500 mg/dL (critical, requires immediate medical attention). More accurate methods, such as testing strips and finger sticks, are more accurate and recommended by the ADA.
If you’re diabetic, your travel preparations should include an insulated insulin bag. Insulin needs to be set at the right temperature, so an insulated bag will make sure that it doesn’t get too cold or hot.
Diabetes sufferers may have various other health issues that could go unnoticed, like sleep apnea. This is a condition where you quit breathing while you sleep. If you notice that you are extra sleepy during the day, talk to your doctor about running some tests to see if you have sleep apnea.
Exercise can help lower and control blood sugar levels within your body. Aerobic training and resistance exercises produce the best results.
After a diabetes diagnosis, it is important to learn all everything possible about the condition. The more knowledge they have, the better they can care for themselves. Diabetes is best handled with knowledge and a sense of responsibility.
Since you have a higher risk of getting gum disease when you have diabetes, it is important to take time to care for your teeth properly. Brush and floss on a regular basis to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Keep a complete set of supplies in a bag you always have with you. But keep extras handy also so you are never caught without the supplies needed to treat your blood sugar, whether it is too high or too low. Have syringes, insulin and anything else you need in your prepared bag.
You need to understand the process behind ketoacidosis, a dangerous condition that diabetics can suffer. It is when the acid levels in the blood increase, which happens if blood sugars get too high. The result is the production of an acidic byproduct called ketones, which raises the levels of the acid in blood. Untreated ketoacidosis can put you into a diabetic coma, so it isn’t to be trifled with. If you feel thirsty, confused and notice a fruity smell on your breath, you should be concerned. You can treat these symptoms with insulin as well as making sure to get yourself hydrated. Ketoacidosis can be prevented by being aware of any symptoms, monitoring your blood sugar, taking insulin and knowing all of your treatment options.
There is plenty of advice that you need to know in order to make the most out of your life with diabetes. If you do not manage your diabetes adequately, you may find that it limits your life in many ways. Use what you read here to lift that weight off your shoulders.
