Diabetes is a very serious and potentially devastating disease that afflicts millions of people worldwide. Although being diagnosed with diabetes is often very scary, it does not have to be. You can still enjoy a great quality of life. It is important for diabetics to fully understand their disease and learn how to take proper care of their health. The following article contains a number of tips for dealing with diabetes.
If you have type II Diabetes then it’s time to say goodbye to fried foods. The breading on most fried food is full of carbohydrates, typically has sugar added to it, and soaks up unhealthy oils. You really don’t want to be ingesting any of these unhealthy things.
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.
It is possible to lower your blood sugar with exercise, so give it a try and see what it does for you. Make sure to test yourself immediately after you exercise to make sure your blood sugar has gone down to a level that is tolerable, otherwise you’ll have to take your insulin.
Simplify your life with organization and routine. By having your supplies in the same location, and by eating and checking your levels at the same time, you can function like clockwork and worry less about serious complications. Make your testing routine so you always remember to write your levels down in your log.
To keep exercise from dropping your blood glucose levels later, check your glucose levels every 45 minutes after a workout. If you see your levels start to go down, you can quickly treat the issue with a carb-loaded snack. As long as you’re proactive about tracking your glucose levels, work-outs shouldn’t be a problem.
If you suffer from hypoglycemia, it is important that you carry gum or another sugary food with you at all times. Hypoglycemic attacks can happen at any time, and it is vital that you be prepared in the case of one. This is especially significant if you are prone to avoiding breakfast, which results in the body feeling a significant need for sugar.
Try to avoid soda and other sugary drinks of you have diabetes. There are no health benefits from drinking these drinks and can in fact, cause your sugar levels to go higher. If you are going to drink juice, try to stick to ones that have no sugar in them.
Many people will tell you that “natural” sugars are safer for your Diabetes than refined sugar. However, sugar is still sugar. My Step-Mother told me I should put honey on my food as it’s perfectly fine… wrong! My blood sugar still spiked sky high afterward. Always double check the “medical” advice you receive from family and friends hen it comes to your diabetes.
Anyone with diabetes must exercise to stay in good health. Exercise helps strengthen the cardiovascular system and helps to increase the circulation to the arms and legs. It also helps to control blood sugar levels. The best forms of exercise for someone with diabetes is jogging, swimming, walking, and rowing.
A Diabetic diet can include many “bad” foods as long as you reduce your portions. MANY studies have shown that people who live to a hundred eat a diet that is very restrictive on calories. This leads them to have healthy organs, strong minds, and a long, happy, vigorous life.
When you have diabetes, there are several ways that you can reduce your consumption of sugar. Instead of a sugar-laden soft drink, drink a serving of sparkling water. Substitute a bowl of frozen fruit for a bowl of strawberry ice cream. Instead of a slice of cake, enjoy a slice of cheese. Substitute a wedge of apple for a serving of apple pie.
Even though carbohydrates have a huge impact on a person’s blood sugar levels, a person who has diabetes does not have to totally avoid them. However, you should be wise about what types of carbohydrates you consume. Complex carbohydrates, such as those found in whole grain brown rice and rolled oats, cause you to stay full longer since they digest slowly. They also aid in keeping your blood sugar level more stable.
To keep your fingertips from cracking when you check your glucose levels, clean them with an anti-bacterial soap. While using alcohol to clean your skin may be your first instinct, it has a drying effect that makes your fingertips more susceptible to cracking. Anti-bacterial soap will ensure your hands are free of bacteria without drying them out.
Look for high-fiber foods. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to eliminate breads and pastas from your diet. The problem is that most breads and pastas are made with refined carbohydrates ” making them high glycemic foods that you should avoid. These processed carbohydrates cause dangerous spikes in blood sugar. Instead, look for whole-grain varieties. You can find whole-grain breads and pastas right alongside their refined counterparts in the grocery stores. These carbohydrates are high in dietary fiber, which means your body takes longer to break them down ” and there is no sugar spike.
People with diabetes often have other health issues that go unnoticed; one the more serious issues is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs if you stop breathing for short periods as you sleep. Sleep apnea causes you to be tired all day; if you have this symptom you may want to be evaluated.
As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, diabetes is a serious medical disorder that affects millions of people throughout the world. The key to managing diabetes, and living a long, healthy life in spite of the disease, is to educate yourself and learn the proper ways to care for your body. Follow the advice in this article, and you will be well on your way to living a healthier, happier life.