No matter which type of diabetes you may have been diagnosed with, you now face the overwhelming challenge of managing the disease and your health, while still being able to enjoy life. Education is half the battle when fighting diabetes. The purpose of this article is to provide you with information about living a healthy life with diabetes.
Check the glycemic index to determine how much different foods will affect your blood sugar level. Select foods with a low glycemic index.
You can eat some almonds if you are hungry. This will not affect your sugar levels. Almonds without salt are quite nutritious, because of the protein and other good things in them. Have a bowl on hand beside the sofa so you can easily snack on them while watching television.
Simplify your life with organization and routine. For example, keep your insulin and meter in one place each night so it is easier found in the morning. When you are testing your blood sugar, write down all your levels in a log.
Many foods contain corn syrup, so make sure to read food labels. In foreign countries such as Canada, this can be known as a combination of glucose and fructose.
Developing Diabetes
You can reduce your chance of developing diabetes by ensuring you eat a high-fiber diet. High glycemic index foods, including processed foods and white bread, can raise your risk for developing diabetes, so you should eliminate these foods from your diet and replace them with whole grain foods. Study after study concludes that individuals who eat more whole grain have a much lower risk of contracting diabetes.
If you are hypoglycemic, you should always have gum or some other type of sugary food handy. Hypoglycemia can flare-up at any time, so it is extremely vital you are always prepared. It is particularly important to have some form of sugar with you if you tend to skip breakfast, because your body will have increased cravings.
Be sure to call and schedule a doctor’s appointment if you are having issues with your eyesight. Diabetes can cause an array of different eye problems, including glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. If you do not address these problems with your physician, they might result in more serious conditions, including blindness.
Do not blame yourself for gestational diabetes. It happens to people and it is something that is beyond your control. Lower your stress, and think positively about your child and yourself.
If you have diabetes and smoke, you should definitely consider quitting. Smoking is a poor health decision for those around you and for yourself as it can make your blood sugar dangerous. If you are having problems quitting smoking, ask your doctor for quitting methods.
You need to remind yourself that managing diabetes is the best thing you can do. Figure out what it is in your life that’s important to you. Is there something that prevents you from participating in those activities? Fix those problems first. This can help you keep yourself focused on the positives in your life and motivated in the management of your diabetes.
If you find that hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a problem, ask your doctor if you should take glucose tablets. These tablets are very portable and provide an instant method for increasing your glucose level.
Employers cannot refuse you a job based on the fact that you have diabetes. Also, you do not even have to disclose information about your medical conditions.
Feet problems often plague diabetes sufferers. If you don’t pay attention to the increased risks, you could be looking at even more serious problems, including possible amputation, in the future. Following these guidelines can help keep your feet healthy even with diabetes.
You have a higher chance of gum disease due to the diabetes, so pay particular attention to your teeth. You should brush several times daily and floss at least once a day.
Do all you can to keep your stress level low. People that have diabetes often experience a rise in their blood glucose when under stress. Investigate a bunch of ways to take it easy and reduce stress, like prayer or exercise. Breathing exercises are a wonderful way to calm yourself down, and there a variety of techniques you can try. These can be done anywhere, making them convenient, as well as easy.
Educate yourself about ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis occurs when your blood sugar is high, causing acid in your blood to increase. When fat is burned to produce energy, ketones are produced. Ketones are a byproduct which raise the acid levels in your blood. It is very dangerous, and in some cases, can result in coma. If you feel thirsty, confused and notice a fruity smell on your breath, you should be concerned. These particular symptoms can be treated by increasing hydration levels and taking insulin. You can prevent ketoacidosis by keeping your blood glucose levels under control, using the right amount of insulin, and knowing the symptoms and treatments for this condition.
Vinegar can help you keep blood sugar under control. Adding just a bit of vinegar can keep your glucose levels from rising as quickly when you eat. Vinegar works by slowing down the digestion of starch, keeping food in your stomach for a longer period of time.
Once you have your diagnosis, lifestyle becomes the key element to managing diabetes. The more normal a lifestyle you can sustain, the less likely you are of having to cope with dangerous side effects from this crippling disease.
