Hearing a diagnosis from your doctor that you have diabetes can be distressing, but having full information about the disease and ways to help manage it can help you create a more comfortable life. In this article, you will find various information regarding diabetes and how to deal with it and live healthier.
If you want to eat healthier to help overcome your Diabetes, but you just can’t stomach fish without some pops of flavor on it, try capers! They’re like olives in their flavor, but smaller and zestier. You can sprinkle them on any type of fish, I like to also add some slices of Spanish onion, and they take the place of sauce.
Drinking water is important for everyone, but is especially so for diabetics. There is a reason that most diabetics drink like a fish before they are diagnosed and begin treatment! Keep your water intake high to help you keep your weight down and your hydration up, especially if you exercise.
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!
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.
To keep exercise from dropping your blood glucose levels later, check your glucose levels every 45 minutes after a workout. If you see your levels start to go down, you can quickly treat the issue with a carb-loaded snack. As long as you’re proactive about tracking your glucose levels, work-outs shouldn’t be a problem.
To increase your sensitivity to insulin, maintain an active lifestyle. Studies have shown that insulin has a stronger effect on those who engage in plenty of physical activity. This will make sure your blood sugar levels stay in a healthy range, and will make it easier for you to manage your diabetes.
If you have recently found out that you have diabetes, you may want to see a nutritionist. There are certain foods that a diabetic should and should not be eating. A nutritionist can give you a diet plan to follow and tell you where you can purchase these special foods.
If you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed by your diabetes, seek out a support group. Being able to talk to people who understand the issues you’re going through can be a great source of comfort. People may also be able to suggest ways to manage your disease that you’d never thought of before.
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.
Make sure to go to your podiatrist often if you have Diabetes to get routine foot check-ups. Your feet are susceptible to peripheral neuropathy and infection, so having them looked over will ensure you don’t end up with them being amputated. It only takes a small amount of time to ensure your feet are healthy, so do it!
Use resources like the internet to find diabetic recipes. Many diabetics get frustrated because they cannot find recipes for meals that are diabetic friendly. There are many substitutions to foods that taste just as good as the original including sugar-free chocolates, healthy kinds of pasta, sugar-free ice creams and cakes.
A tip to prevent or manage diabetes is to eat high-fiber foods such as whole grains as much as possible. Processed foods, including white bread, have a high glycemic count due to being full of refined carbohydrates and these can increase the diabetes risk. This is because they lead to spikes in the blood sugar levels whereas the more natural the food, the easier it is to be digested.
Gestational diabetes can lead to Type II Diabetes later in life, so make sure the changes you implement during pregnancy continue after your baby is born. Having a healthy diet while breastfeeding is important, so keep eating cleanly throughout that time and afterward as well. Exercise will not only help you lose weight and tighten your skin back up, but it will also keep your blood sugar levels constantly normal.
To keep from developing diabetes related circulation problems, regularly tap your feet! Foot exercises will keep your blood moving even when you’re stuck in a chair. Simply alternate lifting your heels or toes in the air while the other half of your foot remains on the floor. After time, this will become a habit, and keeping your circulation strong will be like second nature to you.
If you’re feeling burned out by your diabetes care don’t brush your feelings aside! Ignoring your emotions can lead to you slipping in your care, which can in turn lead to more serious health problems. If you’re stressed it will also be more difficult to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Talk to your doctor when you’re feeling overwhelmed, and work together to find a way to simplify your diabetes management.
As a person diagnosed with hypoglycemia, make a point to consult with your physician about the possibility of taking glucose tablets. They are portable and small, providing an excellent way to get needed glucose into your system more quickly than consuming foods with sugar.
As mentioned earlier, you should not fear diabetes if you have taken the time to learn all you can about it. If you apply the tips laid out here, you will understand that knowledge is by far the most important tool you have to manage your illness well, and to live a healthy life.