It is imperative that diabetics use extreme caution to avoid any type of foot injury. A secondary and sometimes, overlooked condition caused by diabetes is a weakening of small blood vessels. These weakened vessels are unable to transport oxygen and nutrients necessary for healing. In such cases, an infection can get so bad that the toes or foot may require amputation.
Want a tasty treat that won’t be forbidden by your doctor due to your Diabetes? Try nachos! Use a low fat cheese, low fat sour cream, homemade guacamole, and salsa, and you’ll be getting a ton of nutrition with a burst of flavor. If you add some beans to the salsa you’ll have an even healthier snack!
Herbal tea is a great drink for diabetics as it contains many wonderful nutrients and can taste so good you don’t even think about adding cream or sugar. Be sure to check the ingredients as some manufacturers will add sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Be VERY careful with any advice you receive online about diabetes treatment. It is fine to do your research online, and even to find out what other people are doing to take care of their disease, but you need to take any new information you want to act on to your doctor, to make sure that it’s medically sound.
Restaurants tend to serve you HUGE portions, so be prepared before they even bring your meal! Bring your own reusable container, or ask the waiter for a doggy bag up front, and then put away the parts of your meal which are going to be too much for you. Getting rid of it before you eat will curb your temptation to finish it all.
Diabetics should beware of caffeine as it can lead to potentially life-threatening blood pressure. Diabetes already has harmful effects on your organs, high blood pressure included, so you don’t want to tax your body any more than it already is. Caffeine can lead in a massive spike in blood pressure after ingesting it, so just stay away from it completely.
Diabetes causes you higher blood-glucose levels, which also affects how much glucose is in your saliva. You have to take extra care of your gums and teeth to keep the rot and decay away. Floss and brush regularly, and make sure to see your dentist twice a year for cleaning.
If you’re often too tired in the morning to make breakfast, figure something out that you can do while you’re half asleep. A diabetic MUST eat in the morning, so try something like a protein shake or a muffin and an apple. Pour yourself a tall glass of milk to go along with it!
If you’re Diabetic, make sure you’re pairing your carbohydrates with a protein. This will help you digest the carbs in a more efficient way, leading to a lower blood-glucose spike once you’re done. For example, pair an apple with some cheddar cheese for a tasty snack that shouldn’t put you over the edge.
One of the most difficult things to remember for a newly-diagnosed diabetic is the importance of monitoring glucose levels diligently. Over time, failure to do so can lead to irreversible damage to the nerves and blood vessels throughout the entire body. These types of damage can lead to problems with emotional, cardiovascular, and sexual health.
Check your blood sugar levels regularly. It is possible to have dangerously high or low blood sugar without showing any symptoms. Having a persistently high blood sugar count can cause you to have an increased risk of developing kidney failure, circulation problems, heart disease stroke, and even blindness. Make sure you keep a record of your numbers as well, to watch for trends and sugar spikes.
To lessen the symptoms of gestational diabetes, use a blood monitoring device. A blood monitoring device will let you keep track of your sugar levels and will help you keep them from rising or falling dramatically. Doing this will significantly decrease the effects gestational diabetes has on your body and will help keep you and your baby healthy.
You need to make sure that you understand that diabetes is a lifelong problem that can affect every part of your body. If you are in denial you will not be able to take care of yourself effectively and will most likely encounter many more health problems than you need to.
If you have laser eye therapy to correct eye damage caused by your diabetes, be careful how you exercise for at least a month after your surgery. In order to maximize the chances of full recovery, don’t do exercises that involve straining or increase of eye pressure, which could stress the blood vessels that were repaired. That means no weight lifting underwater diving or exercise routines that involve holding your breath.
Afraid of diabetes? Its time to start exercising. Not only will we get that body that we always wanted if we exercise, but also we will lessen our chance of getting diabetes. Every calorie we burn on that treadmill can add time to our life. If you are looking for reasons to exercise think of how much you can extend your life by dedicating that 30 minutes everyday.
If you are a diabetic make sure that you have emergency supplies with you. Make sure to pack an extra glucose meter, insulin, lancet, test strips, syringes and wipes. Hypoglycemia can be treated with glucose tablets, and such tablets can be stored for quite some time. Keeping items such as this handy can ensure that you have a safe trip. An ideal way to carry these items is in a fanny pack.
Make up a few bags containing all of your necessary supplies so that there is always one on hand in case your blood sugar levels become too high or low. When you have all of your necessary supplies with you, you ensure that you have everything you need if there is a health issue.
It is important to take proper care of diabetic feet. Any type of foot injury, no matter how small, should be immediately reported to a physician who can assess and treat the issue. Even the smallest sore on the foot can turn into an ulcer, creating a severe problem for a diabetic.