Archive for February, 2013

If you have diabetes, your health and your very life can depend on the choices you make on a day-to-day basis. The steps you need to protect yourself are really not that hard though. You just need to know what they are and then work them into your daily routine. Here is an outline of some of the most basic things that every diabetic needs to do in order to maintain good health.

Keep track of your blood glucose levels. Every diabetic will have different requirements in this area, but you will have to monitor your blood sugar levels to one extent or another. Your doctor will likely do blood tests on a regular basis that check how your glucose has been doing over the last few months. He also may want you to check your blood sugar levels yourself at home with a glucometer. Find out how often he recommends that you test, and then stick to that schedule. Finding out your sugar is too high or too low can alert you to danger and give you the information you need to correct it quickly.

Use the medicine your doctor prescribes for your diabetes. Many diabetics have to take some form of medication daily to help control their blood sugar levels. If your doctor has prescribed one or more of these medications, make sure you know exactly when and how to take them. There may be certain times of the day that you are supposed to use your medicine, and this timing can sometimes be quite critical. If you are prescribed an injectable medication, you need training to be sure you are administering it properly. Ask your medical professional to show you how to use your medication and demonstrate the proper injection technique and locations for you.

Even if you find it difficult, you need to exercise daily to help keep your blood sugars under control. Go for a short walk after dinner. Pop in an exercise tape and workout in front of your TV. Hop on a stationary bike and ride while you listen to a book on tape. Go to the mall, and join your fellow “mall walkers” for a laps around the hallways. Figure out some way to fit exercise into your daily routine. Your lifelong health depends on it.

Make sure you have all of your regular examinations done to maintain good health. Diabetes is prone to affecting certain areas of your body, so these regular checkups are vital to catching problems early. Have your doctor check your feet at each visit. Get regular eye exams to make sure there are no early diabetic changes that could eventually affect your eyesight. Have an annual urine specimen examined to make sure all is well. Visit your dentist regularly to ward off decay.

As you can see, there are lots of simple steps you can take to ensure that you protect your health even though you have diabetes. Even though your condition cannot presently be cured, there is a lot you can do to manage it successful and minimize the damage it does to your body. Put these tips into practice, and enjoy a longer, happier and healthier life.

Having blood sugar levels that are out of control is common for some people who have diabetes. While it can happen often for some, it is something that can lead to serious health problems. The key to being a healthy diabetic is learning to control your glucose levels while getting all of the nutrients your body needs. This article will show you the best way to do that.

Keep in mind that all sugar is not the same and that some of it is actually good for you. While you should avoid eating anything that has added sugars, things that have natural sugars are not considered unsafe to eat. This means you cannot feel free to snack on a candy bar, but it is okay for you to eat moderate amounts of fresh fruit, which has natural sugars. Since the sugar is all natural, it will break down slower, which means it will not cause any dramatic spikes in blood sugar levels.

Eating carbohydrates in abundance is not something you should be doing if you are diabetic. Carbohydrates turn into sugar when they start to break down, so you should limit your intake. Complex carbs take longer to break down, so you should eat those if you are going to eat any at all. Foods that contain complex carbs include brown bread, whole wheat crackers and brown rice. You should still limit your portions so your glucose levels don’t spike.

If you were prescribed medicine to regulate your sugar levels, it is important that you take it exactly as prescribed. There may be days where you feel perfectly fine, but taking the medicine is necessary to maintain your overall health. It is also best to eat and take your medicine at the same time every day so your body adjusts and functions well.

When you have a cold, it is normal to head to the pharmacy and pick up some medicine for that. This is not something that is simple for a diabetic. Many cold medicines have sugar in them and they will only succeed in taking away the cold and leaving you with another issue. Read labels very carefully when choosing medicine and speak with someone in the pharmacy if you are having any issues finding suitable products.

Many people skip meals when they are not feeling hungry, but this is not something a diabetic person should do. In order for your body to function as it should, there needs to be a good balance of healthy eating and medication. Skipping meals stops the medicine from doing its job properly. If you know you need to take medicine and you are not feeling hungry, try eating something small like a cup of Greek yogurt or half of a sandwich.

There is a lot more involved with leading a healthy diabetic lifestyle, but this is a good starting point. While it may be difficult at times, remember that it is necessary if you want to feel well. The goal is for you to live as well as you can so that you can live longer.

Being diagnosed with diabetes can seem like a death sentence. Although diabetes is a disease that requires some effort to manage, you can still do the things you enjoy while keeping yourself healthy. Read on to learn more about things you can do to help you cope and manage your diabetes.

Many people go into denial when they are first diagnosed. The first step to taking control of your diabetes is accepting your diagnosis. Once you know what you have to deal with, it will become easier to set up a plan to treat and manage the disease. By ignoring your diagnosis and not taking preventive measures, you are only making things worse by putting your health at risk.

It is important that you learn as much as you can about your disease. Knowledge is power and by being armed with information, you will be able to make well-informed decisions. There are many resources that can teach you about diabetes and different ways to cope with it. Your doctor can also provide you with some valuable information which can help you tackle the disease. Reading about diabetes will answer many of the questions you have, The more you know about it, the better you can control it.

Once you know you have diabetes, it is crucial to start an exercise routine. Exercise plays an important role in controlling type 2 Diabetes. Exercise can improve the use of insulin in your body. It can also lower your blood sugar levels. When you exercise, you also burn more calories which results in weight loss. There have been studies of people who stopped taking their diabetes medication after losing a considerable amount of weight. Just remember to check with your doctor before you embark on any exercise program.

An important part of managing diabetes is having a healthy diet. Eating healthy helps maintain your blood sugar levels within your target range. A diabetes diet should be low in fat and rich in fibers. Since a person with diabetes has a greater chance of developing heart disease, eating a diet low in fat is important to keep the risk of a heart attack as low as possible. Fiber delays the absorption of sugar in your body, making it easier to control sugar levels in your blood. A diet rich in fiber and low in fat reduces the risk of heart disease, strokes and high blood pressure.

People diagnosed with diabetes can sometimes feel very alone. Joining a support group is a good way to feel connected to others who are going through the same thing as you. Being part of a support group can provide social, as well as emotional support. You can also share ideas with others about diabetes management. By being part of a diabetes support group, you can find out about different issues and solutions which can be of great help in coping with your disease.

Although a diabetes diagnosis can be frightening, it does not have to mean the end of the world. By making some lifestyle changes, you can learn to manage your diabetes and live a long, healthy life.