Diabetes is very serious and will lead to some serious health problems or death if not taken care of. The best way to ensure a healthy life while dealing with diabetes is through education. Learn as much as you can on this serious disease and how to best care for yourself. This article contains a number of useful diabetes tips.
Having a child who is diagnosed with diabetes can seem overwhelming, but you will get through it! Diabetes treatments have advanced to the point where it no longer shortens a person’s life span. As a case in point, the oldest living diabetic is now 90, and he lived with diabetes without the benefit of modern treatments.
Foods have a “glycemic index” number which says how much they will affect blood sugar based on what is in them. Having a low GI number is important if you are trying to manage your diabetes.
It’s not something that you should feel ashamed about, especially since it’s increasingly common. This makes dealing with your diagnosis much easier, eliminating some of the stress.
Sleep Apnea
If you are suffering from diabetes you should test yourself for sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, get it treated as soon as possible to keep yourself healthy.
Although childhood diabetes is uncommon, effective treatments are available. If your child has been diagnosed, you can get through it! Diabetes is quite common, and there is no reason your child can’t maintain a high quality of life after being diagnosed. The oldest current diabetic is 90, and he was around prior to the medical wisdom that’s out there now.
Diabetics may find their health is better when they plan for up to six smaller meals per day, rather than three large ones. When you have more frequent meals during the course of the day, your glucose level can be better stabilized. Eating more often also helps you avoid the desire to binge, because the frequent meals will keep you satisfied.
If you are a diabetic and also smoke, it is in your best interests to quit. Smoking is an unhealthy habit for everyone, but it can be especially dangerous for diabetics as it can cause elevated blood glucose levels. If you have a hard time quitting, talk to your doctor about what methods you may use.
Cting Insulin
Simplify your life with organization and routine. For example, put your meter and insulin in the same place every night to make it easy to find in the morning. Keep to the same routine every time you test so you never miss a step, and you don’t have to think twice about recording your levels.
Unless you’re told otherwise by your doctor, take the fast-acting insulin one to 15 minutes prior to eating. Fast-acting insulin is only effective in managing blood sugar levels with careful timing and consistent dosing.
Give yourself a constant reminder of why taking care of your diabetes is so important. Think about the things in your life that you enjoy doing, what are the things that keep your from doing it and what should you do to help with that. Maintaining focus on what’s important to you can help keep you motivated with managing your diabetes.
Rather than completely eliminating your favorite foods, aim to make them healthier. One of the hardest things to do as a diabetic is to adhere to a strict diet. Most people believe that they need to get rid of a lot of the foods they love to eat. Others will ignore the diet restrictions and still consume their favorite foods. The best solution is to analyze your favorite foods and choose alternatives. Lots of foods are converted into diabetic-proof favorites with small ingredient alternatives.
You should test yourself for sleep apnea if you suffer from diabetes. If sleep apnea is a problem for you, then get treatment now, before it has a chance to impact your health.
Regardless of whether you feel hungry or not, keeping your body on a regular meal schedule is crucial to maintaining healthy glucose levels. If your level of glucose is low, make sure you drink plenty of water so that you do not get dehydrated.
Smoking is a bad habit for anyone; however, it is especially dangerous for diabetics. Having this habit only brings about detrimental health effects. Smoking causes you to be insulin resistant, and if you’re not already diabetic, you put yourself at a higher risk for developing diabetes.
Gestational diabetes should go away after the baby is born, but make sure you are always checking your sugar levels. Most people think your blood sugar will become normal once your baby is born, but that is not necessarily true.
High fructose corn syrup is found in a surprising number of food products, so you should check the ingredients on most drinks or condiments before buying them. This is labeled “glucose/fructose” in Canada.
It is illegal for an employer to use the fact that you have diabetes as part of their determination on whether or not to hire you. Also, you do not have to disclose any medical conditions during the hiring process.
If you have diabetes and you plan on traveling, you should remember to take along your insulin in an insulated bag. Insulin must be stored at a specific temperature; if you store it in a bag that is insulated, the temperature will remain consistent.
If you suffer from diabetes, make sure to maintain healthy teeth and gums because diabetes increases your gum disease risk. Brush your teeth several times a day and floss every day as well.
Be sure to follow a diet that is high in fiber to reduce the chances of developing diabetes. Consumption of whole grains will cut your intake of white bread and other high glycemic foods, which are not beneficial for you. Studies have shown that whole grains foods are very efficient in preventing diabetes.
If you skip meals, your sugar levels are going to increase because your liver releases glucose to sustain the fuel your body needs when you aren’t consuming adequate nutrition. Eating meals regularly, and having snacks with carbs, can reduce the glucose that’s released.
If you are a diabetic or if you are trying to prevent diabetes from entering your life, you should try to get more physical activity. Exercise is a good way to lose weight and to help your body process insulin more efficiently. People who suffer from diabetes should not be sitting around all day.
Keep stress levels as low as possible. Stress and anxiety can raise blood sugar levels in diabetics. Relaxation techniques including meditation, yoga and deep breathing can reduce stress and help maintain proper blood glucose levels. Learn some breathing exercises, these can be helpful, since you can do them anywhere.
Have gum and sugary food on your body at all times if you have hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemic attacks can happen anywhere, and you need to be prepared. This definitely rings true if breakfast hasn’t been eaten yet, as your body still needs its sugar.
Knowing how to stay healthy and manage the symptoms of diabetes is essential in order to avoid the damage that is common with this disease. This article contains some great advice that will be useful for all diabetics and their loved ones.