Diabetes can have many terrible side effects, and making sure you keep regular check ups with your doctor is vital to controlling these side effects. Recognizing these side effects is important so you can stop them before they get out of control. This article will give you some ideas about what to look for if you think you might be experiencing some side effects of the disease.

If you’re going to go a non-traditional route for your diabetes treatment, continue to be under the supervision of a doctor. Make sure to visit him at least every 3 months, so he can check your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol. He should also test your organ functions, at the intervals he sets for you.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, I am sure you know how to check your blood sugar. You should check it before meals and at bedtime. This insures that if there is a sudden change in your blood sugar levels, you know in advance to address the situation in a timely fashion lest an emergency arise.

When buying your Diabetes medicines, ask for as much as possible at one time. The fee that is added when the pharmacist dispenses your prescription is the same whether you buy 30 days or 90. Therefore, spreading that cost out over multiple days will also reduce the per-dose cost of your medications.

Using a log book to record your daily glucose test results can be very helpful in controlling your diabetes. It is important to notice trends in your blood sugar readings, so having a written record can help you look back and see patterns. Taking a written record to your appointments can also help your doctor to make treatment adjustments.

Allowing your blood glucose levels to reach dangerous lows may over time impair your ability to think clearly. In order to prevent this from happening to either yourself or a diabetic child, blood glucose levels should be monitored frequently. Your brain uses glucose for energy and nourishment, and depriving it of glucose can have a significant and long-lasting impact on it’s ability to process information and respond.

To keep your diabetes from hurting your teeth, be sure to brush and floss several times a day. Diabetes increases the levels of glucose in your saliva, which means your teeth are much more susceptible to decay. Anyone suffering from diabetes needs to be extra vigilante when it comes to taking care of their teeth.

If you are a diabetic who is addicted to processed foods, it can be tough to stop grabbing snacks from the cupboard or the office vending machine. You need to do everything that you can though to avoid this temptation, and instead eat some veggies, fruit, or any other complex carbohydrate.

Being diagnosed with Type II Diabetes does not mean you are lazy, fat, or nonathletic. There are many causes of Diabetes which don’t necessarily come from being overweight or not exercising enough, but all diagnoses mean that you’ll need to start watching what you’re eating and increase your exercise level.

If you suffer from diabetes and you are on Metformin, beware of lactic acidosis. This is a rare, but deadly condition that occurs when lactic acid develops in the bloodstream faster than in can be removed. This is more common in older people who take Metofrmin and symptoms include extreme weakness and severe nausea.

Cinnamon is an excellent spice that can be added to foods if you are a diabetic, since it has no sugar, sodium or calories. Cinnamon can also accentuate the natural sweetness of some foods without adding sugar that may raise your blood glucose levels. Studies are mixed as to whether cinnamon can actually lower your glucose levels, but regardless, it is an excellent spice to add.

If you suffer from diabetes, a great tip is to add vinegar to your food. Vinegar has been proven to reduce your post-meal blood glucose levels by as much as 40 percent. The reason is because vinegar can hold food in your stomach for a longer period of time, which buffers the rise in your blood glucose levels. Add some vinegar to your salad.

Watch out for foods that contain large amounts of saturated fat because it can add extra pounds that you do not need. If you gain lots of weight while trying to battle diabetes you will be faced with many problems. It is a good idea to try to lose weight since that will help keep your sugar levels at a healthy number.

If you are planning to travel via plane, take additional precautions to protect your insulin during the trip. If your insulin is in a piece of luggage that is checked, you risk that it is exposed to especially hot or cold, even freezing, temperatures. Always keep it with you when you fly.

A good tip for people suffering from diabetes is to carry around diabetes bars to use as meal replacements when they can’t find the time to eat a proper meal. There are bars and shakes made specifically to address the needs of people with diabetes so it is an easy way to get your nutrients without any hassle or measuring.

Diabetes is known to be a cause of nerve damage in extremities particularly in the feet. Besides taking your Diabetic medications, you should therefore take extra care of your feet. Wash your feet on a daily basis and make sure to keep them dry. In addition, avoid walking barefoot and wear sneakers or slippers. At the very least, keep your socks on.

When it comes to dealing with food and managing your diabetes, it may be wise to consult with a dietitian for tips on how to best prepare meals. Not only will they be able to let you know what foods to avoid, but they will give preparation tips to ensure that you are doing all you can to keep blood sugar in check.

As stated at the beginning of this article, diabetes can have many terrible and devastating side effects if left untreated. Knowing how to recognize the signs of the side effects, and notifying your doctor of any changes is vital to keeping your diabetes under control. Apply the advice from this article to help maintain your diabetes, and keep those terrible side effects under control.