Diabetes is very serious and will lead to some serious health problems or death if not taken care of. Knowledge of the disease and its various treatments is essential if you want to remain healthy and happy. This article provides many useful tips about diabetes.
The glycemic index is a number that all foods have. It lets you know how the food will affect your blood sugar. Don’t forget: Lower GI numbers mean that the food is better for someone with diabetes.
Almonds are a great way to get some additional protein into your diet, and they don’t contain anything that will upset your blood sugar levels. They’ll provide your body with important nutrients that it needs, like fiber and protein. Almonds are a high protein snack that can improve diabetes and prevent heart disease.
Doing Everything
Make your life easier and more organized by doing everything the same way every time. For instance, choose a spot to keep your insulin and meter, and make sure you put them there each and every night, so you know right where they are when you need them in the morning. Doing everything according to a set schedule and organizing your supplies will make treating your diabetes less taxing.
Walnuts add a touch of nutrition to your salad. Walnuts can help keep your sugar levels where they should be because they have monosaturated fats. They also have omega-3 fatty acids and protein, which will give you energy.
Many grocery store items contain this ingredient, so become label conscious. If you find HFCS on the label, pick something else. “Glucose/fructose” is how this product is labeled in Canada.
You can reduce your chance of developing diabetes by ensuring you eat a high-fiber diet. Whole grains are low-GI foods, which reduces your risk of diabetes, while white foods are generally high-GI, which increases your risk. Research has shown that those who eat more whole grains are at lower risk of getting diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes
Talk to your doctor when you become pregnant and think you might have gestational diabetes. If you do not take control of gestational diabetes, then you risk your own health and also the health of your baby. Your doctor can give you a prescription to help with the diabetes, and also help with a food plan.
Be sure to call and schedule a doctor’s appointment if you are having issues with your eyesight. Unfortunately diabetes can cause all sorts of eye problems, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. It’s crucial to have eyes tested for these conditions regularly; the worse thing that could happen is blindness, so it is essential to catch these problems early.
It is never your own fault that you have gestational diabetes. It will affect some people, and in more cases than not, it is not in anyone’s control. Stay positive about your pregnancy to avoid adding stress to your problems.
Blood Sugar
It is normal for your blood sugar level to spike in response to low glucose treatments. That is because of this: your body releases hormones when you have low glucose levels, and because of that, you might inadvertently be consuming more glucose than you need to correct the hypoglycemic episode. Next time you find yourself in this situation, try eating or drinking less, and check your blood sugar again after thirty minutes.
Take your insulin exactly as prescribed by you physician. This type of insulin is very effective in maintaining blood sugars, though that is only the case if it is properly timed and dosed for every individual.
Regardless of whether you feel hungry or not, keeping your body on a regular meal schedule is crucial to maintaining healthy glucose levels. Make sure you keep up your fluid intake as dehydration can occur during prolonged low glucose periods.
Smoking can have multiple disadvantages, but even more so for those inflicted with diabetes. Continuing to smoke if you have diabetes will increase your risk for many different health problems. Smoking tends to cause resistance to insulin and increases your chances of becoming a diabetic, particular with type two.
Sugar Levels
Gestational diabetes should go away after the baby is born, but make sure you are always checking your sugar levels. It is a common misconception that once the baby is born, blood sugar levels will return to normal.
It is illegal for employers to not hire someone or fire an employee for a medical condition. Also, you do not have to disclose any medical conditions during the hiring process.
If you have diabetes and you plan on traveling, you should remember to take along your insulin in an insulated bag. Insulin should be protected from extreme temperatures. An insulated bag is your best bet for keeping it at the right temperature.
Sleep apnea can often be overlooked in those with diabetes. In fact, those with diabetes often have many issues go unnoticed. This is when you stop breathing in your sleep. If you are extremely fatigued during the day, have yourself checked to see if you have sleep apnea.
Learn about how ketoacidosis works. Ketoacidosis is an increase in the acid in the blood, which happens when blood sugars are very high. This calls for ketones to be produced by the body, and they raise your blood acid level. It is very dangerous, and in some cases, can result in coma. Symptoms include extreme thirst, fruity smelling breath and confusion. These particular symptoms can be treated by increasing hydration levels and taking insulin. Monitor your blood sugar, take your insulin, watch your symptoms, and know available treatment options to prevent ketoacidosis.
It’s imperative that diabetics understand that they need to educate themselves about the care their bodies need, and put that knowledge into practice. This article is packed with useful information for anyone who has been touched by diabetes.