Diabetes encompasses a group of metabolic diseases. It is caused by an increased amount of sugar in the blood, which can be examined by a simple blood test. Type I diabetes occurs when the body fails to make insulin, Type II diabetes occurs when the body does not use insulin correctly and gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. Read this informative article about diabetes.
Go online for help with your Diabetes! There are many forums and groups of people who are just like you and they love to help others. You’ll find all kinds of advice about every facet of Diabetic life, from coping with family members who are not supportive to recipes and diet tips.
Diabetics should work exercise into their daily routine, so think about what you’re doing right now and how you could be doing more. Maybe it’s putting a pile of books under your desk and stepping your feet up and down them. How about getting up and chasing the dog around the house for 10 minutes? Every bit helps!
Don’t worry about having a “Diabetes Bag” that you carry around with you, just keep syringes in your purse, jacket pockets, car, and desk at work. Keep your meter and insulin with you in a small bag or your purse and you’ll be ready for injections no matter where you end up.
In order to be healthy in the midst of having diabetes, it is very important to eat the right kind of food. It is good to switch to food that is high in fiber such as whole grains. These types of foods contain refined carbohydrates that help decrease the risks associated with diabetes.
Ask your Physician if they have any supply samples of your Diabetes medication or syringes. It is unlikely they will have monitors to give you, or test strips or lancets for that matter, but you can get those from your pharmacist instead. They often have monitors for free, so make sure to ask!
To reduce your risk of heart disease, carefully monitor your triglyceride cholesterol and blood pressure levels. One of the most common complications of diabetes is heart disease, and the best way to avoid that risk is to set goals for all of these levels and then, stick to them. Ask your doctor where your levels should be.
Women, especially when in their teens and early twenties, may experience significant fluctuations in their blood glucose levels in the week immediately leading up to their menstrual period. Monitor your levels frequently during this time, then make any necessary adjustments in your insulin dosages and urinary ketone measurements, as this can prevent further spikes.
Always have some sugar available, just in case your sugar level runs low. This could be in the form of glucose tablets, orange juice or candy. Instruct your family and friends about where your sugar is in case you ever have a hypoglycemic episode and need it right away. This way you’ll be able to bring yourself out of hypoglycemia without going to the hospital.
Live a fun life. Don’t let diabetes get you down. You may have to watch your blood glucose levels, but you can still lead a full, enjoyable life. Have hobbies, to out with friends and even eat at a restaurant. Diabetes is a condition you have, but it isn’t you.
If you struggle with diabetes, a great tip is to always include healthy carbohydrates in your diet. People with type 2 diabetes who eat a minimal amount of carbohydrates have very low energy and extreme headaches. You should aim to include healthy carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You will have more energy and less headaches.
For people who suffer from diabetes, try to take a multivitamin with minerals, Vitamin C and Chromium every day. These have all been proven to help keep your blood sugar at a reasonable level. Just remember that these should be taken along with medications, not as a substitute for them.
Be vigilant when monitoring your glucose levels. If your blood glucose levels are especially high before mealtime, this may be an indication that your liver is producing far too much glucose. Try taking your insulin 60 to 90 minutes before your meal, rather than 30 to 45 minutes beforehand. This will give your body’s insulin a head start needed to more effectively manage blood glucose.
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.
People suffering from Diabetes should consider adding green tea to their diet as a replacement of other sugary drinks. Green tea is a great way to cut calories and save carbohydrates. It also has the added benefit of fighting several other diseases. It may not lower your blood sugar, but it helps in many other ways.
Do not skip any meals if you are a diabetic. Doing that will cause you to be more hungry when it is time to eat and you will probably eat much more than you would have otherwise. This will lead to higher than usual blood sugar levels so it should be avoided.
Regular exercise lowers your overall blood sugar, while increasing your body’s sensitivity to insulin. This helps your body keep blood sugar down to a healthy level throughout the day. Do resistance training and aerobic exercise for best results.
Diabetes affects your risk of heart disease, so to lower this risk, consider taking an aspirin every day. Diabetics are at higher risk of heart disease because the platelets in their blood may tend to form clumps more easily, which can lead to heart attacks. Aspirin can counter this risk. Ask your doctor if you should add aspirin to your daily treatment routine, since you should avoid aspirin if you have conditions like bleeding ulcers.
The main symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent and copious urination, and excessive hunger. If you have these symptoms, request that your doctor do a blood test to check for diabetes. Left untreated, diabetes can be life threatening. The test is simple and diabetes is a treatable disease.
