Whether you have Type 1, Type 2 or Gestational Diabetes, make sure you’re doing whatever you can to treat the disease. Letting it spiral out of control can lead to a list of complications! Take a few minutes to read this article. See the tips below to help you manage Diabetes.
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.
Make sure to read the nutrition labels as many common foods contain this. If it has corn syrup, back to the shelf it goes. Sometimes, this ingredient is labeled differently, depending on the country of your residence. In Canada for example, high fructose corn syrup is usually found on food labels as “glucose” or “fructose.”
Walmart and Costco both provide prescriptions at a discounted cost which can save you a lot of money on your Diabetes medications. They also have Diabetic supplies like monitors, lancets, test strips and syringes and they’re carried in bulk at Costco. You can also find pamphlets at both pharmacies with information on Diabetes.
Get familiar with the glycemic index rating of foods to help gain better control of your diabetes. It is important to learn to recognize high glycemic foods like breads, fruit juices, cereals, pasta and rice. Eating more vegetables, lean proteins and other low glycemic index foods keeps your blood sugar from spiking after meals.
Baking your own bread, canning your own vegetables, and even grinding your own flour is far more healthy than purchasing it at a store. You’ll also save a ton of money, and you’ll know what is going into the foods you eat. A diabetic has to be careful about every ingredient, and if YOU measured and put them all in there, it will make keeping track easy!
To help yourself harmful foods during the holiday season, eat a low glycemic index snack before heading out to parties. This will curb your appetite and will help you to only enjoy treats in moderation. Splurge only on the foods you love the most, and avoid snacks like dips and crackers.
Be sure you have a bedtime snack. This will help to make sure you have enough glucose to get you through the night and that your glucose is stable while you sleep. It will also help to make sure you don’t feel the need to get up at night and raid your fridge.
If you have been diagnosed as a diabetic it would behoove you to get a medical bracelet indicating as such. You never want to end up in a situation where you are unresponsive, and god forbid, those caring for you don’t know you are diabetic and do something, like give you a dextrose IV that can make you even worse.
If you have diabetes, a great tip in managing your blood sugar is to never skip meals. When you skip meals, your body uses the glucose from your liver for fuel. For people with type 2 diabetes, the liver does not sense that the blood has enough glucose, so it keeps pouring out even more glucose. Therefore, skipping meals is not a good idea if you have diabetes.
To make sure your diabetes doesn’t cause issues during a long flight, always pack a snack. While some airlines offer free meals, the food can be heavily processed, and you may have to wait a long time to be fed. Bringing your own snack will ensure that your glucose levels stay where they’re supposed to be.
Live a fun life. Don’t let diabetes get you down. You may have to watch your blood glucose levels, but you can still lead a full, enjoyable life. Have hobbies, to out with friends and even eat at a restaurant. Diabetes is a condition you have, but it isn’t you.
Diabetes can affect the eyes, so make sure you are seeing an eye doctor regularly to catch any complications before they become worse. Be aware of any changes in your vision; diabetes can damage the nerves in the eyes so stay vigilant about any changes you see.
If you have diabetes, you should aim to drink as much water as you can. This particularly holds true when your blood glucose is elevated because high blood sugar can cause a large amount of urination. Therefore, you need to drink water to prevent yourself from dehydrating during this time.
If you are a diabetic and you are trying to conceive a baby, visit a preconception diabetes clinic. Women have diabetes may have problems conceiving or carrying a baby and these clinics can give you valuable advice about foods, diets, and medications to assist you in having a healthy pregnancy.
To assure you track your glucose levels properly, keep a glucose monitoring device in your home. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of this equipment by request. This equipment will allow you to get in-depth information about your glucose levels. Using this data appropriately that can significantly improve your overall health. To make sure your results are complete accurate, keep your device clean and well maintained.
Take the time to learn as much as you can about your disease. It will make it easier for you to understand what is happening and why it happens. There are also support groups scattered across the country that will help you get the support that you need to deal with this disease.
Studies consistently show that people who regularly smoke are at heightened risk for developing diabetes. Furthermore, diabetics who smoke are much more likely to have more severe complications associated with their disease, such as leg infections and kidney disease. If you smoke, even occasionally, talk to your doctor about options to help you quit.
Discussion about this post