More people are developing diabetes than many other diseases in the world. More and more people are diagnosed every day. Whether you are recently diagnosed, currently dealing with or worried you may have diabetes, this article can help you make the changes in your lifestyle you need in order to effectively manage your illness and keep it from progressing further.
The “glycemic index” number for a food indicates how likely the food is to impact blood sugar levels due to the ingredients. As a diabetic, you want to eat the foods with a low glycemic index most often.
When you have diabetes, you need to learn to indulge your body in a healthier manner. You do not have to forget sweets completely. If you have your blood pressure under control, it is okay to eat desserts once in a while. Plan for desserts by removing an equal number of carbs from the main part of your meal.
Sleep Apnea
Sleeping well is especially important for diabetics and if you experience problems sleeping, it can be helpful to be tested for sleep apnea. In the event that you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, following up on treatment options is essential to avoid the chance of serious complications.
If hypoglycemia is an issue, make sure you carry some sort of sugar food with you always, such as gum. Hypoglycemic attacks can happen anywhere, and you need to be prepared. Skipping breakfast is a bad idea that makes attacks more likely, because your body will be especially desperate for sugar.
There are ton of free ways to lose weight and battle diabetes, from jogging to doing work outs at a local park. Go to the park and use the jungle gym to do chin ups. If you want to stay home, do some weight training with bags filled with heavy objects.
Make sure you speak with your doctor if you are having vision problems and are diabetic. Unfortunately diabetes can cause all sorts of eye problems, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Serious eye disorders that can lead to blindness are directly related to diabetes.
If diabetes is a challenge for you, consider eating five or six smaller meals during your day, instead of the more traditional three meals. When you eat often during the day, you will be able to better control your blood sugar. More frequent meals also decreases your chances of overcompensating with binging later on.
Pregnant mothers should understand and take heart in the fact that gestational diabetes has not been caused by something they have done. It just happens to some pregnant women, and is often completely unavoidable. Stay positive about your pregnancy to avoid adding stress to your problems.
Don’t be surprised when you find your blood sugar levels soaring directly after having very low glucose. 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. Try eating half as much next the time when your levels are low. Then check the level again in a half an hour.
This increases the chances that your child will have diabetes at birth or at some time in his or her life. Take care of your health now, and avoid cursing your children with this serious condition.
If you suffer from diabetes and you are a smoker, you should try to quit. In addition to increasing your risk of lung cancer, smoking can cause a spike in your blood sugar level if you have diabetes. The highly addictive nature of nicotine can make quitting a very difficult process. Seek advice from your doctor.
Give yourself a constant reminder of why taking care of your diabetes is so important. Remind yourself of life’s enjoyments, what is stopping you from enjoying those things, and how you can work around those blocks. Keep yourself focused on the things that are important to you and allow them to motivate you in your management.
A diagnosis of diabetes does not have to mean the end of the world. With proper use of the advice from this article, you can learn how to successfully adapt to the precarious nature of diabetes and live a happier and healthier life.