Diabetes is a difficult disease to live with, and it is not easy to manage. Diabetics have to make significant dietary changes, and also have to regularly monitor their health. Although diabetes is always a challenge, there’s lots of things that you could do to effectively deal with the illness. Here are several tips that can help you out as you navigate through this disease.
A large number of foods have an assigned “glycemic index,” which is a number that tells you how much the food affects your blood sugar after eating it. Keep in mind that lower GI numbers are what a diabetic needs.
Almonds are excellent for handling those hunger urges and won’t upset any diabetic levels at all! Unsalted almonds are not only very healthy, but they contain protein, fiber and other essential nutrients. Place a bowl of almonds next to your easy chair and munch on them while you are watching television.
Having a kid who has diabetes can be very frustrating, but you will be able to deal with it. Diabetes is quite common, and there is no reason your child can’t maintain a high quality of life after being diagnosed. Currently, the earth’s oldest diabetic is 90 years old, and he has lived well before the medical breakthroughs we have seen!
Sleep Apnea
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important that you get some sort of sleep apnea test done as soon as you can. If you do have sleep apnea, seeking treatment in a timely manner is important if you want to remain healthy.
If you suffer from hypoglycemia, it is important that you carry gum or another sugary food with you at all times. Attacks from hypoglycemia can pop up any place and at anytime; therefore, it’s vital you are properly prepared in case one occurs. Skipping breakfast is a bad idea that makes attacks more likely, because your body will be especially desperate for sugar.
Learn the foods that have high glycemic indexes, as these can cause a sudden spike in your blood sugar levels. Food that are high in glycemic indexes are pasta, cereal, desserts, juices and breads. Processed foods are also terrible for your blood sugar. You should snack on lean meats and fruits and vegetables instead.
If you start to have vision problems, you need to talk to your doctor. There are a number of eye conditions that are associated with diabetes, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and particularly diabetic retinopathy. It is important to have these problems taken care of because the worse case scenario is that it can cause blindness.
Gestational diabetes is by no means something that you have caused! It happens often and is generally out of your hands. Work on keeping yourself calm and relieving tension, as this is best for both you and your baby. Keep thinking positively.
This increases the chances for your child to get diabetes later in life. Do all you can to take care of your body and keep your baby safe.
Even when diabetes makes you feel ill, or steals your appetite, you must take care to nourish yourself regularly, and keep track of your glucose levels. Drink a lot of water and other liquids if you aren’t eating. Low blood sugar can contribute to dehydration.
Egg Whites
Egg whites make a great breakfast if you have diabetes. You will get plenty of proteins, while avoiding fat and calories, if you eat egg whites. Make an omelet out of the egg whites, or scramble them up and serve with some sliced ham.
Individuals diagnosed with diabetes also typically have other health concerns that are not identified at first; sleep apnea is one that can be very harmful. Sleep apnea causes pauses in breathing during sleep. If you notice that you are extra sleepy during the day, talk to your doctor about running some tests to see if you have sleep apnea.
It has been shown by science that good exercise will lower the levels of sugar in your blood and raise the body’s sensitivity to insulin. This increase helps maintain a proper sugar level through life. Aerobic training and resistance exercises produce the best results.
Most people with diabetes develop foot problems. Make sure that you take care of your feet because carelessness can result in amputations. If you care for your feet using this advice, you can promote proper circulation and reduce your risk of developing a serious condition.
Keep stress low. People that are suffering from diabetes can have high blood sugar levels, especially if they are feeling down. Investigate a bunch of ways to take it easy and reduce stress, like prayer or exercise. Deep breathing exercises are particularly good to learn, because you can make use of them practically anywhere.
Maintain regular eating times. If you don’t eat at the same time every day or, worse yet, skip meals, you risk blood sugar spikes or drops. When you eat sugar with an already high glucose level, you can spike blood sugar.
When traveling, keep your insulin with you at all times. Never pack your insulin kit in your bags that are checked; they may be subjected to extreme temperatures or get lost. Don’t worry about the insulin spoiling if you leave it in your carry-on. Insulin can last for up to 30 days if it’s not exposed to extremely hot or cold temperatures.
Consider which features are really important to your particular situation when you choose a glucose monitor. Perhaps you need a faster monitor or would prefer one with data management features or a larger screen. It’s dependent upon your personal preferences.
It requires you to take excellent care of yourself, and to pay close attention to your health and diet. Diabetes can be difficult to deal with, but this article can make it easier. Stop struggling with diabetes, and do your best to treat it as another part of your personal life.