Diabetes is quite serious. It’s a medical condition that has the potential to cause other serious health complications, as well as death. You can live a happy and healthy life with diabetes, but you must become educated about the disease and learn how to properly take care of yourself. This article is filled with helpful diabetes tips.
Check the glycemic index to determine how much different foods will affect your blood sugar level. Diabetics should always look for foods with the lowest possible GI number.
Due to the large number of diabetics, diabetes awareness has really grown over the past decade. Understanding this will help you to feel more comfortable with your diagnosis and make things simpler for you.
Remember that diabetics must be extremely cautious when having a pedicure. Diabetics are prone to bad foot infections, therefore you need to be especially careful of any cut or puncture you receive there.
Switching to an online pharmacy is a smart way to save money on the many medications needed by diabetics. Many of these stores have discount auto-ship programs, so that you won’t be without your diabetes supplies.
Go see a professional if you are expecting a baby and think you could have diabetes. If you are borderline diabetic during your pregnancy, cut back on your sugar and carbohydrate intake. There are many safe medications you can take while being pregnant, and your doctor can not only provide those to you, but they can also give you advice on what foods are best to eat.
People who snack a lot, including diabetics, have a hard time saying “No” when vending machines beckon. It is important, though, that you bypass these snacks and eat a complex carbohydrate, such as fruit or vegetables.
Carefully Choose
You have to carefully choose the food you eat if you suffer from diabetes. Different foods will have different effects on your blood sugar levels, so make sure to carefully choose your food choices. Adapt your insulin injections to what you eat. If you watch what you’re eating, you can manage your blood glucose levels.
Do not blame yourself if you develop gestational diabetes. It is out of the control of the person it affects and is very, very common. Keep your stress to a bare minimum, and think positive and happy thoughts about your child and yourself.
If you have diabetes, you may want to put down that pack of cigarettes. Smoking is unhealthy for you as it is, but when combined with diabetes it can lead to dangerous spikes in your blood sugar level. If you are finding it difficult to quit smoking, your doctor may be able to offer some help.
Cinnamon is an excellent spice for diabetes sufferers to use in their cooking; it does not put any additional calories, sodium or sugar in the food. The great thing about cinnamon is its ability to draw the natural sweetness out of particular food items while adding no unnecessary sugar and causing no increases in blood glucose. Research has shown different results when it comes to whether or not cinnamon decreases glucose levels; even if it doesn’t, it is still a good spice to use.
For anyone suffering from hypoglycemia, it is best to speak with a doctor to see if you should be taking glucose tablets. These tablets might be very beneficial for you because they are portable and easier to digest than sugary foods. This might prove helpful when you need to take something that will increase your glucose level quickly.
A lot of people mistakenly believe that diabetics can’t eat any sugar at all. You don’t have to get rid of sugar altogether, you just have to be wise about it. A tiny serving of one of your favorite treats for very special occasions can still be enjoyed from time to time. Since eating sweets gives you added carbohydrates, it is good to lessen other foods that are rich in carbohydrates when you eat your special treat.
Blood Sugar
Keep in mind that even though gestational diabetes may go away after childbirth, you should still check your blood sugar regularly for any abnormalities. It is thought by a lot of people that once you give birth your blood sugar issues go away, but this isn’t exactly the case.
Always make time for exercise. If you exercise regularly, you can ensure your body will effectively process glucose and insulin. Exercise should be a major part of a diabetic persons life.
If you are diabetic and are planning on taking a trip, always pack a bag with the proper insulation to carry your insulin. Insulin has to be kept at a certain temperature and by keeping it in an insulated bag, you are making sure it does not get too hot or too cold.
Sleep Apnea
Many people with diabetes have other health problems which often go unnoticed; one of worst of these is sleep apnea. People who suffer from sleep apnea stop breathing while they are asleep, interrupting oxygen flow to the brain. It may pay off to get checked for sleep apnea if you feel excessively exhausted during the daylight hours.
It is essential that diabetics learn all they can about living with diabetes and how to take care of themselves to live a better life. We offer some sound advice here that can help diabetics and those who help care for them.
