Sunday, June 17, 2012

What Everyone Should Know About Living With Diabetes

By Jeff Tormey


It's not easy to make lifestyle changes, especially if you've lived a certain way for most of your adult life. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, however, it's vital that you find a way to make some of these changes if you want to stay healthy and properly manage your disease. This article will present you with some suggestions on how to best manage your diabetes.

You are going to want to contact a doctor if you have gestational diabetes and are pregnant. If you do not take control of gestational diabetes, then you risk your own health and also the health of your baby. 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.

|Upon receiving a diagnosis of diabetes, a person should gain as much knowledge about the disease as possible. The more diabetes sufferers learn about their condition, the better they can take care of their health. Information and continuous learning give a diabetic power to responsibly take steps toward staying as healthy as possible.

|When considering how to minimize the impact of your diabetes, make sure your dental health routine is adequate. You will stand a greater chance of developing gum disease in your life. Brush a few times a day and floss daily.

|Learn to identify foods that have high glycemic indices and that can cause your blood sugar to spike. Some of these high glycemic foods include cereal, pastas, breads, and juice. Processed foods send your blood sugar on a roller coaster. Eat foods such as fresh veggies and fruit, fish, and lean meats.

|When people are diagnosed with diabetes, they should know that it is very important to learn all they can about this condition. Education is the key to a healthy life as a diabetic. Knowledge is important to have when dealing with diabetes.

|If you are diabetic and want to reduce the chance of complications, get more exercise. It helps control weight as well as lowering the body's blood sugar. It makes the body more sensitive to insulin levels. With the effects that activity has on blood sugar, those who are diabetic can't afford to sit still.

|Almonds are a great snack to fill you up without affecting your blood sugar levels. Consuming almonds can decrease the blood sugar surges that often accompany meals. Fill a bowl with almonds for snacks you can grab whenever you feel hungry.

|Diabetics who smoke should stop immediately. 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 are having problems quitting smoking, ask your doctor for quitting methods.

|Add a little vinegar to your meals. Studies have proven that consuming a couple spoonfuls of vinegar in advance of eating a meal, can cause blood sugar to go up slower than normal. Vinegar makes changes to how your digestive system works. Your stomach digests starch more slowly after consuming vinegar, so blood sugar won't rise as quickly, and the rest of the food you eat may also take longer to digest.

|Smoking is an unhealthy, dangerous practice, but it is even more dangerous for a person with diabetes. Continuing to smoke if you have diabetes will increase your risk for many different health problems. Smoking makes you more resistant to insulin. If you don't already have diabetes you may have an increased risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

All diabetics should have a familiarity with high blood sugar symptoms. These include changes in your normal urination routine, lacking energy, thirst and/or hunger and poor vision. Should any one of these symptoms happen, you need to measure your blood glucose, and then possibly give yourself insulin.

|Diabetics tend to experience various foot problems. If you don't pay attention to the increased risks, you could be looking at even more serious problems, including possible amputation, in the future. By using these techniques, you will have less to worry about as far as your feet go.

|Do not overeat if you suffer from hypoglycemia. While it's necessary to get adequate sugar from your diet, too much of it can lead to high glucose levels in your blood, and that can be even more damaging for your body.

|If you are suffering from eye problems due to diabetes, make sure you are in control of your sugar levels. While your eye problems may seem worse initially, maintaining control of your blood glucose will help in the long run. If you carefully manage your blood glucose levels, your eye disease can progress much more slowly.

|When it comes to dealing with diabetes, one important point to consider is the fact that green tea is a great addition to your diet. Green tea increases your metabolism and clears out the toxins in your body.

|If you are afflicted with diabetes, six smaller meals can be better than three traditional ones each day. Eating smaller, healthy meals frequently during the day helps maintain the stability of your blood sugar levels. Eating frequently decreases the chance of binging because you will feel much more satisfied.

|Pay close attention to symptoms of diabetes, such as feeling excessively hungry or thirsty, uncommon urination, blurred or foggy vision, and a general feeling of lethargy. If you experience these symptoms, test your blood, and use insulin if needed.

|Ketchup, pop, and other sweets contain this item. That is why it is necessary to read the food labels, and return it to the shelf when you know that it contains corn syrup. It can also be labeled "glucose/fructose".

|If you're diabetic, you must learn to indulge healthily. You do not have to forget sweets completely. As long as you keep your sugar levels under control, you can eat dessert on occasion. Remove carbs from your meal to make room for dessert. Try to stick to equal amounts to make sure your entire meal stays balanced.

|Become educated on ketoacidosis and learn how it happens. This condition is increased acid in the bloodstream and occurs because of blood sugars that are incredibly high. Ketones appear as a byproduct of this process, which makes the blood more acidic than normal. It is extremely dangerous, and for some it can result in a coma. Watch for symptoms such as extreme thirst, breath which smells fruity, and confusion. Insulin injections and hydration are used to alleviate these symptoms. Ketoacidosis can be prevented by being aware of any symptoms, monitoring your blood sugar, taking insulin and knowing all of your treatment options.

Many different foods have this ingredient, including sodas, condiments, and most sweets. Read the labels carefully to avoid foods that contain it. The label in Canada is "glucose/fructose".

|Try to keep a tight schedule in order to simplify your life and allow your body to get used to normal cycles. Place your insulin meter in the same location all of the time to ensure you can find it easier. Doing everything according to a set schedule and organizing your supplies will make treating your diabetes less taxing.

|Due to the large number of diabetics, diabetes awareness has really grown over the past decade. By doing what makes you most comfortable you can reduce any stress or shame you feel about your disease.

|This increases your child's chances of developing diabetes when he or she is born or later in life. Do all you can to take care of your body and keep your baby safe.

|Spend some time learning about what you should eat if you are suffering from diabetes. Some foods will boost your glucose levels right away, and others you may wish to avoid so you do not damage your body.

|It is extremely important to be aware of and control gestational diabetes, so if you have any suspicion or indication of this condition, immediately consult your doctor. If you don't act proactively, you are putting your health, as well as the health of your child, at risk. You can take prescriptions that will not harm the baby and your doctor can help you set up a diet.

|If you are a diabetic, add cinnamon to your food as a way to spice up flavor without adding sugar, sodium or calories. Cinnamon brings out the natural sweetness in certain foods without the added sugar that can raise blood glucose levels. It has not been proven that cinnamon can efficiently lower you sugar levels, but it cannot harm you.

|A lot of people mistakenly believe that diabetics can't eat any sugar at all. You need to remain diligent about keeping sweets to a minimum, but not completely gone from your diet. An occasional sweet dessert eaten in a small amount is allowable. You can also limit other carbohydrate-heavy foods in your meal to accommodate the increase that you get from eating these sweets.

|If you are a diabetic, you should get tested for sleep apnea right away. If you do have sleep apnea, start treatment right away to protect yourself from future health issues.

|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. Keep syringes, insulin and hooks for your meter in a bag so you're always prepared.

Establish schedules for your meals. When you skip a meal as a diabetic, your glucose levels will vary based on the unexpected change. If you have type 2 diabetes, your naturally high level of sugar will be combined with the glucose released from the liver in a dangerous spike.

|It has been shown by science that good exercise will lower the levels of sugar in your blood and raise the body's sensitivity to insulin. This increase helps maintain a proper sugar level through life. You should aim to do aerobic and resistance training exercises in order to achieve the most effective results.

|A common misconception regarding diabetes is that sugar is not allowed in your diet. This is incorrect as sugar does not need to be completely eliminated, however, you must be mindful about eating sweets. You can enjoy smaller portions of those favorite sweets on certain occasions. Sweet desserts contain high amounts of carbohydrates, so on days when you eat dessert, reduce the amount of carbohydrates you eat in your other meals.

|Diabetics may find their health is better when they plan for up to six smaller meals per day, rather than three large ones. Eating small but frequent meals over the course of the day helps to maintain your blood sugar at a steady level. Frequent meals also help to eliminate the risk of binge eating, since you will never feel ravenous.

|You are not to blame when you have gestational diabetes. It just happens to some pregnant women, and is often completely unavoidable. Don't become too stressed, and think positively of your young one and yourself.

|Urine ketone tests are not the only ones you should use to detect your blood sugar levels. The only time you will have high ketone levels is when your blood glucose levels are greater than 200 mg/dl. Rather, you should implement more accurate methods of testing, like testing strips and finger strips.

|There are many free ways to work exercise into your schedule which is great for controlling diabetes, such as jogging around your neighborhood or doing some work outs at the park nearby. You can use the jungle gym to do chin ups, or use canned goods and bags of heavy things for weight lifting.

|Try making a salad with walnuts. They have mono-saturated fats. These fats cause your cells to be receptive to insulin, and this helps keep your blood sugar levels on track. They also have omega-3 fatty acids and protein, which will give you energy.

|If you have diabetes, be extremely careful when having a pedicure done. Even a small cut can result in an infection for a diabetic.

|Even though gestational diabetes generally only lasts as long as your pregnancy, you need to keep checking your sugars until you can be sure that it is gone. Gestational diabetes can lead to more permanent conditions, which means consulting your doctor after birth is extremely important.

Keep your stress levels low. People that have diabetes are highly susceptible to elevated blood glucose levels, especially if they get stressed out or upset. Yoga and meditation are great ways to keep your stress levels low. You can also use breathing exercises to relax, especially since you can perform them almost anywhere.

|Egg whites should be included in your breakfast if you desire the optimum meal when you have diabetes. Egg whites are low in calories and fat, and are full of the protein your body needs to start the day. Make an omelette of egg whites, or scrambling the whites and eating them with some ham.

|Green tea is an excellent dietary addition for those who have diabetes. Given all the things a diabetic must avoid and take into consideration with their diet, green tea is not only non-threatening, relaxing and enjoyable, but it also carries a number of metabolic and system cleaning benefits that are useful in glucose management.

|Almonds are a great way to curb your appetite and they won't bother your blood sugar levels. Almonds are high in fiber, and also contain protein. They are a very healthy snack that is easy to enjoy anytime. Keep a container or bowl of almonds handy by the television or computer so you have a handy snack whenever you need it.

|Skipping your meals can raise your blood sugar since your liver release glucose for fueling your body because of inadequate nourishment. Eating regularly and eating snacks with carbs could decrease glucose.

|This increases your child's chances of developing diabetes when he or she is born or later in life. Save your child from having to deal with this disease, and attend to your health now.

|Yes, it's got sugar, but it also contains a lot of fat. Fat releases its sugars very slowly because the body takes so long to digest it. Choose fat-free snacks with sugar to maintain normal glucose levels.

|You need to pack your insulin in an insulated bag when you travel. Keeping your insulin in a bag that is insulated will maintain the proper cool temperature required for this medication.

|If you have hypoglycemia, it is vital that you do not overeat. You do need to eat in order to get adequate sugar, but overdoing it can cause your body to overcompensate and spike your blood sugar to dangerous levels.

|Managing diabetes can be a bit confusing and hard to keep track. If you put all of your readings as well as treatments in a journal, you can take that to your doctor, and it will be very beneficial. This can help them see your progress and help you with your management techniques.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, fast-acting insulin should always be taken no more than 15 minutes before you eat. Taking this type of insulin can keep your blood sugar under control, that's why doctors prescribe it. However, your doctor needs to monitor your dosage and explain how long you should wait to eat after taking insulin. This is to ensure you don't have a blood sugar drop after taking it.

|If you have diabetes, you have to be careful about 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. If you eat a large meal, it will require more insulin, while smaller meals will require less. By watching your meals, you will be able to better manage your blood sugar.

|Add vinegar to the food you eat. Studies show that vinegar, taken before or with a meal, makes your blood sugar rise more gradually than other foods. A tablespoon or two may be all that is needed. Vinegar slows down starch digestion and keeps food in your stomach for a longer time.

|When you skip meals, your glucose levels raise as your liver releases glucose meant to fuel the body, since it is not getting the nutrients it needs. Eating regular meals, as well as having snacks with carbohydrates, will reduce the glucose being released.

|Ask your doctor about sugar pills if you have hypoglycemia. You can get a prescription for glucose in tablet form. The tablets are simple to take wherever you go and help elevate your glucose levels quicker and more efficiently than foods with sugar.

|You will ensure your life will be easier to deal with if you stay organized. One example of this might be putting your meter in a special place every time you are done using it, so that you don't have trouble finding it next time you need to test. Make testing a routine and do it at the same time and in the same way so you never miss a step.

|Look for some ways to make the foods you eat healthier. There is absolutely no reason to stop eating all of your favorite foods. Just get creative and challenge yourself to revamp the foods into something that fits your healthy requirements. Many websites and cookbooks are devoted to providing tasty recipes for diabetics.

|If your doctor diagnoses you with diabetes, accept the news as calmly as you are able to, and then make the lifestyle adaptations needed without resistance or complaint. You should still live your life the way you want to live it.

|Sleep apnea can often be overlooked in those with diabetes. In fact, those with diabetes often have many issues go unnoticed. This means that you stop breathing as you are sleeping. If you are feeling exhausted half way through the day, get tested for sleep apnea.

|Even a slight elevation in your A1C results can increase your risk. Sadly, only very few people can achieve normal A1C levels. Aim for seven percent or less, equivalent to 150 mg/dl average blood glucose.

Take the time to exercise. Regular exercise will contribute to the stabilizing of blood sugar levels. Exercise is a big part of any healthy diabetic lifestyle.

|Remember that diabetics must be extremely cautious when having a pedicure. Because people with diabetes are likely to develop foot infections, even a small cut can have serious results.

|Be sure to understand how ketoacidosis occurs. Ketoacidosis means an increase in blood acidity caused by high blood sugar. This can produce ketones (an acidic byproduct) that will raise blood acid levels. This can lead to comas, so it is quite dangerous. The symptoms are usually confusion, fruity smelling breath, and extreme thirst. Insulin injections and hydration are used to alleviate these symptoms. You can prevent ketoacidosis by keeping your blood glucose levels under control, using the right amount of insulin, and knowing the symptoms and treatments for this condition.

|Look at the glycemic index on the labels of the foods you buy. This is an indicator of how this food will affect sugar levels. Low glycemic index numbers are the best ones for people who suffer from diabetes.

|You need to work out regularly. Consistent exercise makes the body better able to process glucose and insulin so that your blood glucose levels stay stable. Exercise should be a wonderful part of a diabetic lifestyle.

|There are millions of diabetics in this world. This should reduce your stress and make life easier.

|If you find a high glucose reading immediately after treating a low reading, do not be unduly alarmed. It's caused by 1 of 2 factors: your body is responding to low glucose and releases hormones, or you may be drinking or eating more than necessary to respond to lower glucose levels. Next time, eat or drink half the amount you would normally ingest, then check your levels after 30 minutes.

|To get the most out of your glucose monitor, choose one that has features you will actually use. You might want a monitor that has features, like a large screen or the ability to manage data. The one you choose is up to you.

|Diabetics need to have a thorough eye exam every year to quickly diagnose any disorders. Taking control of your sugar levels may make you eyes seem worse at first, but eventually you will benefit. If you stay in control of your sugar levels, the degeneration of your eyes will considerably slow down.

|Be sure to keep your insulin at your side and accessible at any moment when traveling. Checking insulin in the baggage compartment of an airplane will not only subject it to extreme temperatures, but it will also be inaccessible to you, particularly if the bags are lost. When traveling, don't worry about it spoiling in your carry-on luggage. Insulin will be okay when kept at room temperature for up to a month. It should not be exposed extreme temperatures though.

The slightest variation is a risk. Sadly, many people do not manage their diabetes well enough to achieve good A1C levels. A level of seven percent is acceptable; it corresponds to 150mg/dl of blood glucose.

|No employers are not allowed to dismiss applicants because they have diabetes. By law, you do not have to let your employer know of your condition before you are hired.

|Particularly when you don't feel like it, you must pay attention to glucose levels, and keep your appetite up by consuming foods that will impact your health in a positive way. Because a low glucose level can also cause dehydration, you should drink water frequently.

|There is an abundance of protein-rich foods such as tofu, eggs, dairy products and beans. Avoid burnout by trying new foods and recipes.

|Diabetics need to be especially careful of the foods they eat. Different types of foods have different effects on your blood sugar levels. If you are on insulin, the amount of insulin that you need will depend on the size of a meal. Monitoring your meals will allow you to more actively control your blood glucose levels.

|You should understand which foods have high glycemic indexes, as they can increase your blood sugar in a hurry. Some of these high glycemic foods include cereal, pastas, breads, and juice. The more processed the food, the worse it is for your blood sugar level. Eat foods such as fresh veggies and fruit, fish, and lean meats.

|Take your insulin exactly as prescribed by you physician. Fast-acting insulin is only effective in managing blood sugar levels with careful timing and consistent dosing.

|Being diabetic means that it is very important that you keep track of your glucose levels, and always try to eat healthy. Fluids are very important during times of low glucose levels.

|When your child receives a diabetes diagnosis, life can feel devastating. Stay positive though, you can get through this! Your child can still live a normal life since diabetes treatments have come a long way. The oldest living diabetic is 90, and he was born before many of the treatments we have now.

|It is illegal for a company to use diabetes as a factor for whether or not they will hire an individual. Also, you do not even have to disclose information about your medical conditions.

After treating lower levels of glucose, you should not be surprised to see your blood sugar actually spike. In some cases, you might overcompensate for low blood sugar by eating too much, while in other cases your body might release hormones into your bloodstream when your sugar gets too low. These hormones can raise glucose naturally at the same time as you are raising it via eating. Try lowering the amount of food or drink by half and give your levels a check at 30 minutes.

|To make a salad even healthier, add walnuts! Walnuts are rich in monosaturated fats, which can help you manage your diabetes by improving the way the cells in your body process insulin. Walnuts also contain large amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are an all-around great, healthy food.

|If you are a diabetic and also smoke, it is in your best interests to quit. Smoke is terrible for everyone, but it's worse for diabetics as it could dangerously raise blood sugar. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.

|There are a lot of stories about people losing limbs or their eyesight because they did not take care of their diabetes. While these things can happen, the majority of the time they will not. You can have a healthy and productive life with diabetes as long as you give careful attention to self care.

|Diabetics must have their eyes checked on a regular basis to avoid serious vision disorders, so make sure you address any concerns or issues with your health care provider. There are a multitude of problems diabetes can cause with your eyes from cataracts to glaucoma to diabetic retinopathy, and these are all very serious. If you do not address these problems with your physician, they might result in more serious conditions, including blindness.

|If you suffer from diabetes, make sure to maintain healthy teeth and gums because diabetes increases your gum disease risk. Make it a daily routine to brush after meals and floss at night at a minimum.

|Egg whites are a perfect breakfast choice for a diabetic. Egg whites are a low-calorie, low-fat food that will give you the protein you need to get going each morning. You can make an omelet with the egg whites, or scramble them up with some ham.

|Clinical studies have proven that blood sugar levels are lowered by exercise, while sensitivity to insulin is heightened. Exercise is a healthy way to manage the levels of blood sugar. Aerobic training and resistance exercises produce the best results.

|Feet problems often plague diabetes sufferers. You should ensure that you take extra care with your feet. If you are careless, you may lose one or both of them. These ideas will help you ensure your feet are healthy and remain attached to your body!

|There has been some debate about drinking moderately to reduce the risks of developing diabetes. It is important to avoid alcohol if you already have diabetes though because it has effects on a person's blood sugar levels. When diabetics consume alcohol, they are at risk of producing a crisis situation.

You will find that the more you know about diabetes, the less scary it is. If you read through this article thoroughly, and retain the knowledge in it, you'll have great tools to know how to keep your health in balance.




About the Author:



Add to Technorati Favorites Bookmark and Share

0 comments:

  © Get Rid From Diabetes Guide , Best books for diabetes , Blood sugar levels , Diabetes guide tips , Diabetes control solution 2012

Back to TOP