Not many people are frightened by the glucose test where a diabetic tests his or her glucose level by pricking a finger. The most worrisome aspects of diabetes include the elevated risk or developing diabetic retinopathy and diabetes-related complications. Do whatever you can to help yourself prior to getting to that point. These tips can help you deal with diabetes.
Develop a “testing ritual” that you follow every time you test your blood sugar. As an example, leave the meter and your insulin supplies in the same location when you head off to bed each night, so you know exactly where they are in the morning. Make your testing routine so you always remember to write your levels down in your log.
If you want to add a nutritious touch to your salad, throw in some walnuts! Consuming walnuts can help with diabetes management because they have monounsaturated fats, which can decrease insulin resistance in cells. Walnuts contain antioxidants, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins; no wonder they’re great for you to eat.
The risk of getting diabetes can be reduced by having a diet that is high in fiber. Your risk will be increased by the intake of highly glycemic products, such as food that has been overly processed, rather than those made with whole grains. There are many studies that show that people who eat whole grains, and low-GI foods in general, get diabetes less often than those who don’t.
It is important to bring along high-sugar foods or chewing gum if you are hypoglycemic. You never know when you will feel the onset of an attack so it is important to always be prepared. Skipping breakfast is a bad idea that makes attacks more likely, because your body will be especially desperate for sugar.
Gestational Diabetes
Your doctor will do a regular screening for gestational diabetes. If you do have gestational diabetes and you choose to look the other way, you are not only putting yourself in harm’s way, but your baby’s health as well. Your doctor may prescribe certain medications that are safe to take during pregnancy, and he can also advise you of what to eat.
If you are diabetic, talk to your physician if your vision is bugging you or there are any problems with it. Glaucoma, cataracts and retinopathy can appear because of diabetes. Dealing with your condition is really important because failure to respond opens the door to the worst possibilities that include going blind.
If you are afflicted with diabetes, six smaller meals can be better than three traditional ones each day. Eating small healthy meals, several times a day, will keep your blood sugar stable. Frequent meals also help to eliminate the risk of binge eating, since you will never feel ravenous.
Do not be surprised if your blood sugar levels spike after treating a low glucose situation. 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.
Unless your doctor tells you different, you should take your fast-acting insulin no more than 15 minutes before eating. Fast-acting insulins can be a very effective for maintaining blood sugars, but only if they are properly dosed and timed for each individual.
To improve treatment compliance, take a moment to reflect on why you take care of your diabetes. Think about what you like to do, and how managing diabetes can help you do those things; think about what motivates you. Focus on what matters to you and find new sources of motivation.
For anyone suffering from hypoglycemia, it is best to speak with a doctor to see if you should be taking glucose tablets. These tablets generally come in small containers that fit in a purse or pocket, and can quickly boost your blood glucose levels.
Even if you don’t feel well and have no appetite, your disease makes it imperative that you keep eating healthy foods, and continue to check your blood glucose levels. If your blood sugar stays low for too long, you can become dehydrated, so drink fluids even if you don’t feel like doing so.
Smoking is dangerous and can be very dangerous if you’re a diabetic. Engaging in this destructive behavior will subject you to multiple health maladies. When you smoke, you increase your chances of being insulin resistant; if you don’t yet have diabetes, it can make your risk of getting type 2 disease much higher.
As the introduction of this article mentioned, it’s the potential to go blind and other debilitating side effects associated with diabetes that really scare people. You can work past the fear and use the information you’ve learned here to ensure that you’re never a victim of these nasty complications.