In plain and simple terms, a diagnosis of diabetes means your body is no longer capable of creating and controlling insulin production. Although this is fairly straightforward, finding a treatment for diabetes can be very complex. The following tips offer simple ways to manage your diabetes.
Glycemic Index
Diabetes is currently a very common disease. When you don’t force yourself to hide, you will take steps to fight the shame and stigma sometimes associated with diabetes.
Look at the glycemic index on the labels of the foods you buy. This is an indicator of how this food will affect sugar levels. Low glycemic index numbers are the best ones for people who suffer from diabetes.
Take extra precautions when getting pedicures if you suffer from diabetes. Foot infections are common in diabetics and therefore if you should puncture your foot, care should be taken.
The risk of getting diabetes can be reduced by having a diet that is high in fiber. If you eat more whole grain bread and less white bread, you will lessen your blood sugar levels and will in turn, lessen your risk of diabetes. It has been widely reported that consuming foods with whole grains can lower your chance of becoming a diabetic.
Pedicures can be problematic when you have problems with diabetes. Since diabetics are at an increased risk for foot-related complications, it is especially important to safeguard against possible fungal infections or cuts.
Hypoglycemics should always have hard candy and sugary gum available in case of a hypoglycemic attack. You have to be prepared, because a hypoglycemia attack can happen anywhere or any time. This is particularly the case when breakfast has been skipped, because the body is now seeking sugar.
If you are expecting and suspect that you might have gestational diabetes, it is imperative that you ask your doctor to help you. If you don’t act proactively, you are putting your health, as well as the health of your child, at risk. You might even have to take medication and change your diet significantly.
Smoking is not a habit a diabetic should start, or continue. Smoking is bad for your health generally, but it is especially dangerous for those with diabetes because it can spike your glucose levels dangerously high. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
You should always have a pack of gum or some other sugary substitute with you if you are afflicted by hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can attack anywhere, so you should always be prepared. This is especially true if you have not eaten breakfast, as your body is craving sugar.
If you are diabetic, cinnamon can add more flavor to your food without additional calories or sugar. Cinnamon brings out the natural sweetness in certain foods without the added sugar that can raise blood glucose levels. Research is indeterminate in deciding whether or not cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels, but it’s still a great spice for your diabetic diet.
If you’re diabetic, you need to eat and check your blood sugar regularly, even if you’re feeling sick or don’t have any appetite. You can feel dehydrated during long cycles of low glucose, so be sure to drink fluids at this time.
One myth of diabetes is you need to avoid all sugar. Use wisdom and knowledge to monitor the sugar content that you do consume. On special occasions, treat yourself to a small portion of an excellent dessert. Plan carefully and balance your splurge with the other carbohydrates consumed that day, preferably by bypassing them.
Gestational diabetes is becoming much more common nowadays, so be sure to speak with your doctor about your concerns and look into getting tested. Gestational diabetes requires you to act immediately to protect your health. There are many safe medications you can take while being pregnant, and your doctor can not only provide those to you, but they can also give you advice on what foods are best to eat.
Prospective employers cannot legally forbid applicants from being employed because they have diabetes. You are also not required to talk about your medical conditions at the beginning.
Sleep Apnea
Other conditions are sometimes linked to diabetes, such as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing while you are asleep. If you are fatigued during the day, you need to have your doctor check you for sleep apnea.
Talk to a physician immediately if you have any vision problems. Glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye conditions, such as retinopathy, can be caused by diabetes. Serious eye disorders that can lead to blindness are directly related to diabetes.
Include more healthy carbs into your diet. Diets that are low in carbs can actually be detrimental to many with diabetes, because they prevent the body from getting the essential nutrients it requires. You should ensure that you are eating a sufficient amount of carbohydrates to make sure are getting sufficient energy.
If you are diabetic, it’s important that your teeth receive attention to prevent gum disease. Because of this, you need to brush your teeth a few times per day and floss a minimum of once per day.
Always keep your equipment ready to use. Get a small bag you can carry your insulin in, and make sure you always have plenty of supplies at home. When you have all of your necessary supplies with you, you ensure that you have everything you need if there is a health issue.
If you are afflicted with diabetes, six smaller meals can be better than three traditional ones each day. This will help you stay in control of your blood sugar levels. These meals will also keep you from getting over-hungry and indulging.
Keep your stress levels low. People that have diabetes often experience a rise in their blood glucose when under stress. Learn about, and start practicing, different relaxation methods to lower stress, such as meditation and yoga. Try some breathing exercises. The best thing about these is they are portable.
Blood Sugar
Become educated on ketoacidosis and learn how it happens. Ketoacidosis occurs when your blood sugar is high, causing acid in your blood to increase. This results in an influx of ketones which causes levels of acid in the blood to proportionally rise. It is really dangerous and in a few cases, it results in a coma. Symptoms include confusion, breath that smells like fruit, and extreme thirst. These symptoms can be treated through insulin shots and increased hydration. Ketoacidosis is preventable by making sure that blood sugar levels are normal, taking insulin when needed, and making sure you know what symptoms indicate any sort of diabetes related issue.
Pregnant mothers should understand and take heart in the fact that gestational diabetes has not been caused by something they have done. Pregnancy often causes gestational diabetes, and there is really not much you can do to prevent it if you are susceptible to it. Minimize your stress and focus on the good things about your kid and you.
Do not allow living with diabetes to become a complicated thing. Focus on the tips you’ve read in this article, in order to make living with diabetes a simple day-to-day routine that you can easily incorporate into your life. If you can follow these tips, you’re on your way to wellness.