The vast majority of those who contract diabetes are going to have the disease for life. With any luck, you will be able to properly manage it and stop it from becoming worse, but that’s going to take a lot of effort and the right knowledge. Here are some tips you can use to gain the knowledge necessary to manage diabetes.

If you have type II Diabetes then it’s time to say goodbye to fried foods. The breading on most fried food is full of carbohydrates, typically has sugar added to it, and soaks up unhealthy oils. You really don’t want to be ingesting any of these unhealthy things.

Eat foods rich in fiber. By eating fruits, vegetables, and grains you will improve your diet. You will lose weight and feel great. Fiber can help give you more control over your blood sugar and lower your chances of getting heart disease. Other sources of fiber include nuts, seeds, and beans.

Conditions like Gastroparesis can cause your stomach to empty itself of food more slowly than normal after you have eaten a meal. For diabetics, this can translate to unpredictable drops and spikes in blood glucose levels, which can then affect the way that you feel throughout the day. Consider speaking with your doctor about whether you should take your insulin later or sooner than the standard 45 minutes before a meal.

Diabetics should make sure to always wear socks to bed and wear slippers or shoes inside the house. You’ll want to both provide shock absorption for your feet as well as protection from stepping on something sharp or damaging. Diabetes can lead to an increased susceptibility to infection, so be extra careful!

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.

Exercise is very important in diabetes prevention. Exercise gets your blood flowing, keeps off the extra pounds and it helps maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Studies show that exercise significantly reduces risk of diabetes by up to 50 percent. It is a good idea to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.

Don’t rely on urine testing as your sole blood sugar test. This method is not very accurate, and high levels of ketones only indicate that blood glucose levels are something higher than 200mg a deciliter. The ADA recommends that diabetics utilize testing methods that are more accurate, such as testing strips and finger sticks.

To maintain healthy blood sugar levels, maintain a healthy, regular routine. That is, try to eat around the same amount of food daily and eat at the same times, and also exercise and take medications at the same times of day. In combination with healthy practices, spacing things out like this helps keep your blood sugar on an even keel throughout the day.

When you are a diabetic there is an increased risk that you will develop some sort of gum disease. Making regular appointments at the dentist and following his suggestions on proper oral hygiene will ensure that you will stay healthy in that regard. Proper flossing and brushing are essential parts of a daily routine.

When you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to have a support system in place. This can be family or friends. Ask them to come to your appointments with you to better-understand how you will manage your condition. In addition, finding another person with diabetes to talk with might help.

To reduce the risk of heart disease associated with diabetes, watch your fat intake. Avoiding unhealthy fats like saturated fats and trans fats is even more important for diabetics than for other people because of their association with heart disease. Replacing bad fats with good fats like olive oil is better for your overall health. Also, watch the amount of fats you eat, since weight control is an important part of diabetes control.

The key to maintaining your health as you deal with Diabetes is to keep-up with your blood sugar levels. This requires several blood tests throughout the day, which can be performed with an over-the-counter device and testing strips. In addition, frequent check-ups with your doctor, to review blood glucose levels, can help you regulate your treatment, as well as, prevent further complications that may otherwise result from neglect!

The type of diabetes you have will dictate whether or not you have it for life, but even if you have a mild case of diabetes, you should still be doing everything in your power to regulate your blood sugar levels. Using the above information to assist you, you can work toward being an overall healthy person.