Diabetes can be a very difficult disease to manage. Not only does it require you to make drastic changes to your diet, it also requires extensive monitoring and maintenance. Having diabetes can be challenging, however there are a lot of things you will be able to do to deal with your condition. Read this article to get started and find out more about how you can manage your diabetes.
If you suffer from diabetes, consider getting checked for sleep apnea. Treating sleep apnea can improve your overall health and help you manage your diabetes more effectively.
Be sure to follow a diet that is high in fiber to reduce the chances of developing diabetes. This is a good way to replace high glycemic foods, such as white bread or processed foods by whole grain foods. There are many studies that show that people who eat whole grains, and low-GI foods in general, get diabetes less often than those who don’t.
Hypoglycemics should always have hard candy and sugary gum available in case of a hypoglycemic attack. The effects of hypoglycemia can be much more dangerous than those of hyperglycemia, and it can rear its ugly head at any time. This is very true if you did not eat breakfast, since your body is demanding sugar.
Gestational Diabetes
Be sure to consult with your doctor if you are pregnant and think you may have gestational diabetes. Untreated gestational diabetes can pose a risk to both you and your baby. Your doctor will be able to tell you what you should eat and perhaps give you some medications.
If you start to have vision problems, you need to talk to your doctor. Diabetes can cause an array of different eye problems, including glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Fix these problems as soon as possible because they have the potential to cause blindness.
Even if you have diabetes, if you are a snacker it can be difficult to resist the pick-me-ups you know are sitting on the kitchen counter, or in vending machines. You need to exercise willpower and ditch that processed snack, and choose a complex carbohydrate such as vegetables or fruit instead.
If you have diabetes, it is very important to take great care in managing what you eat. You have to remember that different foods are going to have different effects on the level of glucose in your blood, which could make you sick. Large meals require large insulin injections but smaller meals require smaller insulin injections. Staying in control of your glucose levels will become easier if you pay attention to what you are eating.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, fast-acting insulin should always be taken no more than 15 minutes before you eat. Insulin is helpful in maintaining the level of sugar in your blood, if you take it in the right quantities and at the right time.
It’s important to remember why you choose to keep your diabetes under control. Remember what motivates you, be it your family, friends, pets, or career. Keep yourself focused on the things that are important to you and allow them to motivate you in your management.
One seasoning that’s great for diabetics is cinnamon. It won’t add calories, sodium, or sugar to your dishes, but it will add flavor. Cinnamon will sweeten just about anything, while helping you manage your sugar levels. There is no consensus on whether cinnamon really lowers blood sugar, but it remains an ideal spice to put in a variety of dishes.
Favorite Foods
Adapt the recipes for the foods you like instead of thinking you can no longer eat them at all. For most, the restrictive diet that is necessary to control diabetes is the most difficult part of dealing with the disorder. The good news, however, is that few foods are truly off limits to you. Others will ignore the diet restrictions and still consume their favorite foods. The smart thing to do is to find delicious substitutes for your favorite foods. In a lot of cases, substituting healthy ingredients for diabetes-unfriendly ones can make a great dish healthier, without compromising its flavor.
Smoking is dangerous to your health, but it is especially harmful to a person with diabetes. If you choose to smoke, you will face a lot of health hazards. Smoking can make a person resistant to insulin, and those who are not diabetic already may be at risk for type 2 diabetes.
Get regular exercise. Regular exercise helps the body better handle glucose and insulin, keeping blood sugar stable. Exercise should be a major part of a diabetic persons life.
Don’t rely on urine testing as your sole blood sugar test. If you have a high ketone level it will only show that blood glucose is higher than 200 mg per deciliter. The ADA recommends that diabetics utilize testing methods that are more accurate, such as testing strips and finger sticks.
Sleep Apnea
People with diabetes often have other health issues that go unnoticed; one the more serious issues is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing. If at times you start to feel tired in your normal day then get yourself checked for sleep apnea.
Understanding your condition will help you to live a fulfilling life despite diabetes. By gathering as much information as possible, they ensure the best possible care for themselves. Having the right information is key in the battle against diabetes.
Your stress levels can impact your blood glucose levels. Individuals with diabetes are susceptible to rising blood glucose levels, particularly when they feel stressed or upset. Look into different methods of relaxation to help yourself calm, such as yoga and meditation. Try some breathing exercises. The best thing about these is they are portable.
It requires that you take good care of yourself, as well as the need to pay attention to your diet and health. Diabetes can be difficult to deal with, but this article can make it easier. Don’t let diabetes control your life, and try your best to start treating diabetes management as an integral part of your life.
