The treatment and management of diabetes is critically important to anyone who has it. Left alone, the disease can be fatal, but just a little mindfulness can help sufferers lead full lives. If you want to manage your diabetes better or to just understand the condition more, in order to help someone you know or love, read on for some sound tips about diabetes.
If you have type II Diabetes then it’s time to say goodbye to fried foods. The breading on most fried food is full of carbohydrates, typically has sugar added to it, and soaks up unhealthy oils. You really don’t want to be ingesting any of these unhealthy things.
It is important for diabetics to learn to eat a healthy diet and control portion sizes. Eating excessively large portions is a sure way to gain weight. Eating too much, even of foods that are good for you, will result in weight gain and blood sugar problems. Use smaller plates, put your utensils down between bites and eat slower.
Diabetics should beware of caffeine as it can lead to potentially life-threatening blood pressure. Diabetes already has harmful effects on your organs, high blood pressure included, so you don’t want to tax your body any more than it already is. Caffeine can lead in a massive spike in blood pressure after ingesting it, so just stay away from it completely.
DefeatDiabetes.org helps people who are struggling financially to receive supplies which will help them keep their diabetes under control. You can get as much as 35% cash back on purchases through their store, and they have additional programs to give you even deeper discounts if you ask for help through their website.
It is important that you drink plenty of water each day if you have diabetes. Becoming dehydrated when you are diabetic can cause your blood sugar levels to go through the roof. The general rule of thumb is that you should drink one ounce of water for every 2.5 pounds of your body weight, each day.
To avoid developing a life-threatening infection, avoid going barefoot outdoors. People with diabetes are much more susceptible to developing infections from minor injuries and simply cutting your foot on a piece of glass could become a major ordeal. Instead, try wearing lightweight, waterproof shoes when you’re going outside in warm weather.
Do not rely on chocolate for a quick fix if your blood glucose levels drop. While most diabetics feel that this is a harmless remedy, it may actually have the opposite effect. The body absorbs fatty foods far more slowly, so you will notice a faster increase in glucose if you opt for a sweet, but fat-free, food.
If you are a diabetic make sure to carefully choose your lancing device. Pick one that maximizes comfort and minimizes pain especially since you will have to be testing very frequently. The better the device is, the less reluctant you will be with your blood sugar testings which will help improve the overall quality of your care.
If you’re a diabetic who uses insulin to control his diabetes, make sure to rotate the insulin injection site. Rotating the site helps to make sure that the skin in one area doesn’t toughen up, making it harder to take the injection. Rotate the site every time you give yourself insulin.
Almost all insurance companies will now pay for blood glucose monitoring equipment for diabetics to have in their homes. It is important to keep machines in good working order and clean. This is vital to assure you obtain accurate results. Your manufacturer’s directions have directions on how to clean and maintain your machine.
If you can’t stand drinking plain tap water but must to help control your Diabetes, try switching to sparkling water instead. There are many flavored options which have absolutely no sugar added and no carbohydrates at all. Try taking plain sparkling water and add lemon juice as it is known to help keep blood glucose levels stable.
Understand that there is no single “magic number” when it comes to your A1C levels. However, you should aim to keep this number as low as possible in order to reduce your chances of developing complications from diabetes. Even slightly high A1C levels put you at considerable risk for stroke and cardiovascular problems.
Individuals who have been diagnosed with IGT, or impaired glucose tolerance, should be especially vigilant in monitoring their lifestyle changes, including dietary, exercise, and activities. Losing weight and increasing your exercise routine can significantly lower your chances of progressing from impaired glucose tolerance to full-blown diabetes, therefore prolonging and enhancing your life.
Protect your eyes! If you are Diabetic, keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible to lower your risk of developing a Diabetes related eye disease. Diabetes is actually one of the primary causes of developing blindness! It affects the blood vessels at the back of the eye. Surgery can be performed to correct eye damage, if it’s caught early! However, the best way – to prevent eye disease – is to consistently keep your blood sugar reasonable!
For those who suffer from diabetes there are many alternatives to sugar that can fulfill our sugar craving. These artificial sweeteners are often times 25 to 100 times more sweet than sugar and most the time they have close to 0 calories. Use these artificial sweeteners as a replacement for sugar.
You have a sweet tooth, but you’ve just been diagnosed with Type II diabetes, what are you going to do? There are many artificial sweeteners that can take the place of sugar in our lives. We may have tasted diet soda and though that we couldn’t bare it. But with multiple tastes you begin to get used to the taste and before long you will find yourself enjoying these diet beverages as much as you enjoyed the real thing. Better still, try carbonated water with just a little fruit juice.
Diabetics have to be careful and constantly vigilant about their blood sugar levels. Whether you are a diabetic or spend time with one, keep in mind the advice of this article for easier management of the condition. In no time at all, you are sure to notice a better life.