Learning how to manage your diabetes is vital if you or someone you love has this disease. You cannot always rely on what you hear or see either. You need to make sure the information you’re receiving is accurate. Check out these expert tips and tactics if you need to know how to manage diabetes.
Don’t sweat the small stuff! Being a diabetic is hard, and you’re going to make mistakes. If you eat unhealthily or forget to exercise, don’t beat yourself up over it because sometimes that’s life! Do some deep breathing and forgive yourself for your lapse, then watch what you eat for the rest of the day and move on tomorrow.
Educate your children in everything you learn about your Diabetes as they may face the same situation some day. It will be very helpful for them to see the journey you have taken and learn from it so that they can avoid mistakes when they grow up.
Learning to read the nutrition data on food labels is key to eating the right diet for your Diabetes. Keep track of how much carbohydrates, sodium, sugar, fat, protein, and fiber are in each food you eat and try to only choose those which will keep your weight in check.
Many health care providers offer diabetic classes for patients who want to be informed on their treatments. Find one in your area and get educated so you can take your treatment under control and know why you’re being given what has been prescribed to you. You never know, it may save your life!
When you’re planning to go to a doctor’s visit, write down any concerns you have. It doesn’t matter how outlandish they may seem, it’s much easier to read them off a page (or PDA or tablet, whatever works for you) than trying to remember them. Every bit of information you gain will help you keep your health in check!
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.
If you snore you are twice as likely to develop Diabetes than someone who doesn’t. This might be because most people who snore are overweight, and it’s the extra weight that can lead to Diabetes. Deal with the weight and you’ll conquer both the snoring and the Diabetes!
To keep your blood sugar levels from spiking, research high glycemic index foods. If you’re not knowledgeable about what ingredients you should avoid, you may consume something harmful without realizing it. If you need to eat something quickly and don’t have time to look it up, stick to non-processed foods.
If you are diagnosed as a diabetic it may be in your best interests to carry around a glucose gel. You simply never know when your blood sugars will jump, and consequently, when you might need a quick rush of sugar to your body. Keeping it handy can and will save your life.
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. You need to do everything that you can though to avoid this temptation, and instead eat some veggies, fruit, or any other complex carbohydrate.
If you see ANY damage to the skin on your feet and you have Diabetes you must let your podiatrist know as soon as possible! He’ll be able to tell you what to use to keep it clean and free of infection, and prescribe you an antibiotic cream or gel if necessary.
Taking care of your feet is even more important in Gestational Diabetes than it is in the traditional syndrome. You’ll be far heavier than normal in a very short amount of time, so your feet won’t be able to keep up with the changes. Ensure that you wear comfortable footwear that allows your skin to breathe.
To make sure your family understands your needs, take the time to explain diabetes to them. Discussing your condition with them will give them valuable knowledge they can use to help you in a crisis. It will also make them aware of things they can do to help. You may even find that talking about your diabetes is very cathartic.
Make wise decisions in your choices for treating to low glucose levels. If your levels are less than 70 milligrams per deciliter, the ADA advises you to consume a food or drink with about 15 grams of sugars. Opt for something that can easily and quickly be absorbed by your body, such as hard candy or jellybeans.
Improperly managing your diabetes and blood sugar levels can lead to binge eating and overeating. Failure to accurately assess your body’s individualized responses can lead diabetics to continuously eat for fear of allowing their blood glucose levels to dip below acceptable and healthy levels. Diligent monitoring can give you a more accurate assessment than your feelings of fullness.
Clinical studies have proven that blood sugar levels are lowered by exercise, while sensitivity to insulin is heightened. Exercise is a healthy way to manage the levels of blood sugar. You should aim to do aerobic and resistance training exercises in order to achieve the most effective results.
If you have Diabetes, journal your eating habits and blood sugar levels. Do this every day, for every meal. The information contained in your journal can help to explain blood sugar spikes, or dips, throughout the day. It can also provide your physician with real life information that can be used for your on going treatment.
The best part about the tips you’ve just read in the article above is that they’re all accurate, current and were compiled by various experts who know a thing or few about managing diabetes. If you can take advantage of this information, you can thrive while living with this disease.