Thursday, June 21, 2012

Ideas To Help You Manage Your Diabetes

By Jeff Tormey


Education and information are essential if you have been diagnosed with diabetes. Look at the advice in this article to learn how to cope with this dangerous condition. Failure to act now can lead to some serious complications with your diabetes.

If you do the same task the same way each time, your life will be more organized and easier. Keep your insulin close to you and store it in the same spot every night. Get into a routine every day to do the test and then record the levels into your log.

|See your doctor if you have diabetes and begin to have vision problems. Cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy can be the result of uncontrolled diabetes. You must attend to these problems right away to avoid possible vision loss and/or blindness.

|Green tea is an excellent dietary addition for those who have diabetes. This is because green tea has properties that can increase your metabolism, as well as cleanse your body of undesirable toxins.

|Find out more about nutrition and what kind of foods can influence your sugar levels. There are some foods, including those with high GI indices, that will spike your blood sugar. Know and avoid these foods when possible.

|Keep a complete set of supplies in a bag you always have with you. But keep extras handy also so you are never caught without the supplies needed to treat your blood sugar, whether it is too high or too low. Make sure your insulin, syringes and meter hooks are together so you'll always be prepared.

|No matter how you are feeling, it is critical that you keep an eye on glucose levels and your overall diet. Drink a lot of water and other liquids if you aren't eating. Low blood sugar can contribute to dehydration.

|Keep stress levels as low as possible. Individuals with diabetes are susceptible to rising blood glucose levels, particularly when they feel stressed or upset. Try yoga or meditation to relax yourself and keep your glucose levels in check. In addition, there are a number of breathing exercises that you can teach yourself. Since you can do them anywhere, they are ideal.

|Egg whites are a perfect breakfast choice for a diabetic. Egg whites are great because they're low-cal and low-fat, and are also great sources of calcium and protein to begin the day with. Try eating them in an omelet, or scrambled with a ham slice.

|Don't overeat if you are hypoglycemic. It's important that you get enough sugar into your system to stabilize your blood sugar, but too much sugar will cause an unhealthy rise in blood sugar, so the key is balanced meals.

|Horror stories always exist about the grandmother who lost her leg or the brother who lost his vision because of diabetes. That is why it is imperative for diabetics to take especially good care of their feet and treat any type of cut immediately. You should keep in mind that living a healthy, productive and happy life is very possible with diabetes.



Establish schedules for your meals. If you're diabetic and regularly wait to eat, your blood sugar can go all over the place. This type of glucose plus already high blood sugar can lead to disaster.

|Make sure you always have your insulin on you when you are traveling. Keep your insulin in the carry-on; this way it is not exposed to extreme temperatures, and if you need it, you have it. Insulin usually lasts for a month if it is kept at room temperature. Carry your supplies with you in a small bag.

|Instead of totally eliminating foods you love, alter them so that they are healthier. This loss of foods you enjoy causes people difficulty in adapting to a diabetic diet. Lots of people think they have to eliminate the majority of the foods they love. Others will continue to eat their favorite, unhealthy foods. Taking a close look at the ingredients of your favorites, and adjusting them to meet your nutritional requirements is the best way to go. In a lot of cases, substituting healthy ingredients for diabetes-unfriendly ones can make a great dish healthier, without compromising its flavor.

|Rather than just giving up things you like, slightly change them. The difficult thing related to a diagnosis of diabetes is the way it restricts your diet. It is a myth that all the foods you love are off the table now. Other people will continue to consume their favorite foods, regardless of the recommended diet. The healthiest solution is using tasteful substitutions to recreate more healthy versions of your favorite dishes. In a lot of cases, substituting healthy ingredients for diabetes-unfriendly ones can make a great dish healthier, without compromising its flavor.

|Use caution when having a pedicure if you have diabetes. Since diabetics are at an increased risk for foot-related complications, it is especially important to safeguard against possible fungal infections or cuts.

|Simplify your life by developing your own daily diabetes routine. Keep your insulin close to you and store it in the same spot every night. Get into a routine every day to do the test and then record the levels into your log.

|Exercise regularly. Exercise improves the way the body handles glucose and insulin and helps keep sugar levels stable. Exercise should be a major part of a diabetic persons life.

|Research high glycemic index so that you can recognize them instantly. For example, most juices, breads, desserts, cereals, and types of pasta are high glycemic index foods. Your blood sugars do not respond well to foods that are processed either. You should snack on lean meats and fruits and vegetables instead.

|When you have diabetes, you need to learn to indulge your body in a healthier manner. It's probably not necessary to remove sweets altogether from your diet. If your blood glucose level is under control, it is fine to eat desserts occasionally. It may be wise to anticipate an after-meal treat by eliminating a certain amount of carbs from your main course.

|Be extra vigilant about your dental hygiene when you're dealing with diabetes, because the condition puts you at greater risk for gum disease. You should floss daily and brush your teeth several times throughout the day.

If you suffer from diabetes, it is important to learn how to eat right. You don't have to eliminate all the sweets you enjoy. If your blood sugar continues to stay under control, you can enjoy dessert every now and then. Remove carbs from your meal to make room for dessert. Try to stick to equal amounts to make sure your entire meal stays balanced.

|While there is some argument as to whether alcohol is healthy in small amounts in healthy individuals, most research shows that if you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, alcohol should be avoided due to the way it affects blood sugar levels. If you do happen to drink alcohol, always talk this over with your doctor.

|Hypoglycemic individuals ought to speak with a physician about whether they should take glucose pills. These tablets are very portable and provide an instant method for increasing your glucose level.

|Never get too far from your insulin when you are on a trip. Don't take the chance of putting it into the luggage you check with the airline. This may expose it to excessive temperatures or, even worse, your bag may be lost. It won't harm your insulin to keep it on your person, because it can be kept in room temperature for as long as a month without any adverse effects.

|Keeping your regular appointments with the doctor is something important that you must do as a diabetic. There is no cure for diabetes. Therefore, it is imperative that you closely monitor your disease, and the effectiveness of your treatment plan, so your condition doesn't deteriorate. Your life does not have to be dictated by diabetes provided you manage your condition with the appropriate strategies and habits.

|You are not at fault if you acquire gestational diabetes. In most cases, this condition does not appear for any specific reasons. You should try and keep stress levels low and try to think positive things about you and your child.

|It can be a little baffling when you are trying to manage your diabetes, and keep all your records on track. Keeping a journal will help you to stay organized and on top of your treatment, giving you a perfect record to provide to your family doctor. He'll be better equipped to monitor your progress and keep you healthy for the long term.

|The risk is increased with even a very small elevation. Many people are unable to maintain healthy A1C levels. Try to get about seven percent or lower. This is around 15 milligrams per deciliter for blood glucose.

|Walnuts can make a nutritious and tasty addition to a salad. The monounsaturated fats in walnuts help to keep your diabetes under control by increasing your cells' receptiveness to insulin. They are also known for having many vitamins and minerals, along with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Besides having all of these wonderful benefits, they offer an energy boost, and have a great flavor.

|If you are suffering from diabetes, a good thing to add to foods to spice it up is cinnamon. 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. Some even believe that cinnamon will lower blood glucose levels, but the jury is still out on that one.

Having to avoid sugar is a myth when it comes to diabetes. You need to remain diligent about keeping sweets to a minimum, but not completely gone from your diet. You can still savor a small serving of a favorite dessert for special occasions. Whenever you indulge in a sugar and carb-heavy treat, just be sure to balance your diet by cutting those quantities from other meals.

|All foods contain glycemic index numbers that inform you of how they will impact your blood sugar levels based on their ingredients. Low glycemic index foods will also be best for those with diabetes.

|Battling diabetes does not always have to involve expensive methods; try brisk walks in the park, jogging or reasonable fitness regimes. Do some chin ups at the playground or when you are at home lift some canned goods.

|You can eat various protein foods, like beans, tofu, eggs, and dairy. Don't get into a rut and keep trying new things!

|If you smoke and have diabetes, try quitting. Not only is smoking bad for everybody, it is especially bad for diabetics because it could raise your blood sugar to dangerous levels. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.

|Smoking is dangerous for anyone, but diabetic people should be extremely careful. If you participate in this habit, you will be opening yourself up to have a lot of bad health problems. Smoking can make a person resistant to insulin, and those who are not diabetic already may be at risk for type 2 diabetes.

|This means that your little one has a greater chance of developing diabetes at some point in his or her life. Do all you can to keep your child from developing this illness by taking proper care of yourself.

|Check the glycemic index to determine how much different foods will affect your blood sugar level. As a diabetic, you want to eat the foods with a low glycemic index most often.

|When you have diabetes, it is a great idea to eat five to six small meals, instead of three bigger meals a day. Eating more frequently, but in smaller amounts, keeps your blood glucose levels more consistent. If you eat more often, you won't get as hungry between meals -- and you won't eat as much.

|If you find that hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a problem, ask your doctor if you should take glucose tablets. Carry around some glucose tablets so that you can increase the level of sugar in your system, rather than relying on sugar foods that take a long time for your body to process.

Keep an eye out for recipe substitutions and other ways to convert your favorite foods into healthier versions. You might have been diagnosed with diabetes, but don't give up food you love. Instead, look for ways you can make these foods work within your new diet plan. There are websites and cookbooks out there that have many recipes for diabetics.

|Exercise is a healthy way to lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity. Doing exercise along with resistance training will give you the best results.

|To satisfy your hunger without throwing off your blood glucose levels, snack on almonds. You will get plenty of fibers and proteins from unsalted almonds. Keep a container or bowl of almonds handy by the television or computer so you have a handy snack whenever you need it.

|If your child is found to have diabetes, you may feel overwhelmed; however, taking it a day at a time will get you through. Today, diabetes is becoming so common that there are many new treatments that can offer a normal life for your child. Today, the oldest diabetic in the world is age ninety, and he has been around for all of the developments in the treatment of diabetes.

|When choosing a glucose monitor, choose one with features that you need most. A monitor that can track data over time might suit you best, or you might prefer an easy-to-read large-screen model. Maybe speed is your primary concern, and you want the fastest monitor available. It all depends on what you really want or need.

|When you first find out you have diabetes remain calm, listen to your doctor, and change the things in your life that you need to change. You can still live the life you want.

|Always remember why it is important to you to maintain adequate control over your diabetes. Take a moment to consider how diabetes may be limiting you from doing what you love. Then, remember that there are ways to manage this chronic illness, and that there is hope yet to do these things again. Maintaining focus on what's important to you can help keep you motivated with managing your diabetes.

|Stay with a regular eating routine. When you are diabetic and you put off or even skip a meal, your glucose levels can really roller coaster. Adding this glucose to the average type 2 diabetic's high glucose levels can provoke a steep rise in blood sugar.

|After a diabetes diagnosis, it is important to learn all everything possible about the condition. The more knowledge they have, the better they can care for themselves. Knowledge is important to have when dealing with diabetes.

|If you have a baby on the way and show symptoms of gestational diabetes, call your general practitioner right away. If you do not get in front of this condition, you are risking both the health of you and your child. You can take prescriptions that will not harm the baby and your doctor can help you set up a diet.

A wide variety of foods are rich in protein, including obvious sources like beans and eggs, and other healthful choices like dairy and tofu. Don't get into a rut and keep trying new things!

|As a diabetic, it is essential that you understand the signs of elevated blood sugar, including extreme hunger or thirst, difficulty seeing and lethargy. If you notice any of these changes, test your insulin levels, and administer insulin if necessary.

|Pop, ketchup, and many other sweet confections contain this item, so read the nutrition data and ingredients on the label, and put it back on the shelf if it does have corn syrup in it. Canadian products list high fructose corn syrup as glucose/fructose.

|You can save money by getting your diabetes medications from a website. You can even set up monthly deliveries, so you never run out of the diabetes supplies you need.

|A common misconception regarding diabetes is that the diabetic is not allowed any sugar. The key to keeping a little sugar in your diet is to use moderation when eating sweet items. You are still allowed to eat a smaller dessert during special occasions. If you do choose to indulge, you should compensate by cutting carbohydrates from your meals that day.

|Many items on store shelves have this ingredient, so make sure you're choosing products without it before you put them in your cart. Most soda drinks contain high fructose corn syrup, but so does ketchup, so check the labels. In foreign countries such as Canada, this can be known as a combination of glucose and fructose.

|Make sure to know how ketoacidosis occurs. This condition is increased acid in the bloodstream and occurs because of blood sugars that are incredibly high. In return, this leads to ketones and high blood acid levels. This can be very harmful and may even result in a coma. Symptoms of ketoacidosis include confusion, nausea and stomach pain. Symptoms are typically addressed with increased hydration and insulin. To prevent ketoacidosis you need to take insulin, keep track of your blood sugar and have a keen eye for any symptoms and an understanding of all treatment options.

|People with diabetes often have other health issues that go unnoticed; one the more serious issues is sleep apnea. This means that you stop breathing as you are sleeping. If you notice that you are extra sleepy during the day, talk to your doctor about running some tests to see if you have sleep apnea.

|If you have diabetes, you should get a sleep apnea test as soon as possible. In order to remain healthy, obtain treatment for your sleep apnea as soon as you are diagnosed.

|While it does contain sugar, there is also quite a bit of fat in chocolate. Your body digests fat too slowly for chocolate to be a useful quick fix. Fat-free snacks with a high sugar content are preferable when you are experiencing low blood sugar levels. They release their sugars faster and can quickly bring your blood sugar level back into the normal range.

You need to understand ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis occurs when blood sugar is elevated, and it essentially refers to a high level of acid remaining in the blood. This can produce ketones (an acidic byproduct) that will raise blood acid levels. Untreated ketoacidosis can put you into a diabetic coma, so it isn't to be trifled with. The symptoms are usually confusion, fruity smelling breath, and extreme thirst. You can get rid of these symptoms by drinking plenty of water and taking some insulin. Prevent ketoacidosis by knowing your treatment options, monitoring your blood sugar, noticing your symptoms, and taking your insulin.

|If you want to be sure to eat the best breakfast you can for your diabetes, eat egg whites! Egg whites are great because they're low-cal and low-fat, and are also great sources of calcium and protein to begin the day with. You can make an omelet with egg whites, or have some scrambled eggs with a piece of ham.

|When you have diabetes you should know the symptoms of having blood sugar that is out of control, some of these are being overly hungry or thirsty, urinating a lot, or blurry vision. If you experience any of these things, complete a monitoring test; you should then give yourself insulin if you have to.

|Take your insulin as directed by your doctor. In general, you should take insulin no more than 15 minutes before you eat. Fast-acting insulin is extremely effective for maintaining blood glucose, but only if it is properly timed and dosed for each individual diabetic.

|If you are hypoglycemic, you should always have gum or some other type of sugary food handy. You should always be prepared because there is no way to know when you are going to suffer from hypoglycemia. If you didn't eat breakfast then this is especially true, as skipping meals will make your body crave sugar.

|There are millions of diabetics in this world. Your daily life will be less stressful if you disregard the tendency to feel ashamed of your condition.

|To measure blood glucose level, urine ketone testing is not the right thing to be doing. A high ketone level indicates that your blood contains 200 milligrams of sugar per deciliter. Rather, the ADA recommends that people with diabetes use finger sticks or test strips to get the accurate readings they need.

|It is vital to know that, while gestational diabetes fades after delivery, you must continue to keep checking your blood glucose levels. 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.

|Employers cannot refuse you a job based on the fact that you have diabetes. You do not have to disclose any of your medical issues up front.

|If you have diabetic eye disease, it is especially important to control your blood glucose levels. Research indicates that managing blood glucose levels can seem to worsen your eye condition in the beginning, but you will see positive results over time. If you stay in control of your sugar levels, the degeneration of your eyes will considerably slow down.

Knowing how to stay healthy and manage the symptoms of diabetes is essential in order to avoid the damage that is common with this disease. This article is packed with useful information for anyone who has been touched by diabetes.




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