The vast majority of those who contract diabetes are going to have the disease for life. With any luck, you will be able to properly manage it and stop it from becoming worse, but that’s going to take a lot of effort and the right knowledge. Here are some tips you can use to gain the knowledge necessary to manage diabetes.
Beans for breakfast, beans for tea, beans for you and beans for me! Beans are packed full of protein and fiber, which are both very important in the meals of a diabetic. Try to include as many beans and lentils in the foods you eat as possible. Just cook them up and throw them into everything, from chili to salads!
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is an irreversible condition causing tingling and even numbness or pain in your arms and legs. This is caused by not controlling your blood sugar which leads to damage to the nerves in your limbs. If you get your Diabetes in check you can sometimes lessen the symptoms and stop it from progressing further.
If you have Diabetes, then your children are more susceptible to the disease themselves. Make sure that any diet changes you make are reflected by the eating habits of your children, and that you include them in the exercise you do. It’s more fun to make the changes in your life if everyone has some input.
A dip in blood sugar is NOT an excuse to raid your fridge for goodies. Pick up some glucose tablets or small candies and take ONE OR TWO until your blood sugar is back in line. Eating a slice of cake will just make your blood sugar skyrocket, leading to a need for medication and weight gain.
If you feel someone is giving you unwelcome advice about diabetes, ask them to back off. If you do it politely they won’t be offended, and you won’t have to listen to them rattle on about things you either don’t care about or already know. If you have the knowledge to back it up then you’ll become the master of your domain!
Many items on store shelves have this ingredient, so make sure you’re choosing products without it before you put them in your cart. Most soda drinks contain high fructose corn syrup, but so does ketchup, so check the labels. The label in Canada is “glucose/fructose”.
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.
See your doctor if you have diabetes and begin to have vision problems. Diabetics can experience some unique eye and vision issues in their lives. These conditions include cataract, glaucoma and even retinopathy that is specific to diabetics. Do not take these problems lightly. Diabetes has been known to cause people to go blind when they do not take care of themselves and their diabetes.
If you are diagnosed as a diabetic it may be in your best interests to carry around a glucose gel. You simply never know when your blood sugars will jump, and consequently, when you might need a quick rush of sugar to your body. Keeping it handy can and will save your life.
Even if you feel like your diabetes has gotten better, it is important not to stop taking your medications unless a doctor tells you it is alright to do so. The medications are most likely what is keeping your diabetes symptoms under control, so without them, your glucose or insulin levels could get out of control.
Almost all insurance companies will now pay for blood glucose monitoring equipment for diabetics to have in their homes. It is important to keep machines in good working order and clean. This is vital to assure you obtain accurate results. Your manufacturer’s directions have directions on how to clean and maintain your machine.
Lose weight. Bringing your weight down is not just a casual option; bringing down weight will result in more stable blood sugar levels and less damage. Eat a healthy diet and exercise so that you can drop some weight and help your condition. Some obese diabetics who lose weight find they are no longer diabetic.
If you are a diabetic and you smoke, it would be wise to try to kick the habit. In addition to increasing your risk of lung cancer, smoking can cause a spike in your blood sugar level if you have diabetes. If you want to quit but are encountering difficulty, consider asking your healthcare practitioner for advice.
To reduce the sugar in your diet, try using light or low-fat products when you cook. These products aren’t just lower in fat- they also contain less sugar and sodium. This is a great way to continue to use things like peanut butter, sour cream, and cheese in your cooking.
One popular myth on diabetes forums and elsewhere is that you can’t eat any sugar at all if you are diabetic. The key to keeping a little sugar in your diet is to use moderation when eating sweet items. You can still savor a small serving of a favorite dessert for special occasions. Since eating sweets gives you added carbohydrates, it is good to lessen other foods that are rich in carbohydrates when you eat your special treat.
When you have diabetes, you probably have a team of doctors helping you out. You need to make sure that all of your doctors are on the same page, and are communicating with each other in a manner that puts your best interests first. Be assertive when it comes to your health care.
The type of diabetes you have will dictate whether or not you have it for life, but even if you have a mild case of diabetes, you should still be doing everything in your power to regulate your blood sugar levels. Using the above information to assist you, you can work toward being an overall healthy person.