Diabetes is a condition where you body does not produce the right amount of insulin needed to regulate blood sugar levels. While this might be simple to understand, treating the disease can be quite complicated. Apply the suggestions from this article to make treatment a little easier.
Feel free to ask your doctor any question about Diabetes you might have, from how it affects your bowel movements to if it can cause sexual dysfunction (yes, it can!) No question should be too embarrassing or uneducated for you to feel comfortable finding the answer to as your doctor is there to help!
If you’re Diabetic, you must quit smoking. End of story, period, that’s that. You cannot have any bad habits while your body is already having these types of problems or else any treatment you’re receiving will be sabotaged. It’s time to make a choice – do you want to live a long, healthy life, or smoke?
If you suffer from diabetes it is absolutely critical that you monitor the amount of alcohol you drink. Cutting back on alcohol consumption is one of the best things a diabetic can do to improve their health. Alcohol is loaded with empty calories and fast acting carbohydrates. These fast acting carbohydrates quickly raise blood sugar levels in the body and this, in turn, can lead to type II diabetes complications.
Test your sugar regularly, and track the results. Keeping a log book of your sugar levels will help you and your doctor decide if your medication and diet plan are working to control your sugar. You can save money by sharing a glucometer with a family member or friend, so long as you do not share lancets.
A dip in blood sugar is NOT an excuse to raid your fridge for goodies. Pick up some glucose tablets or small candies and take ONE OR TWO until your blood sugar is back in line. Eating a slice of cake will just make your blood sugar skyrocket, leading to a need for medication and weight gain.
Diabetics don’t have to give up that sweet tooth just because of their condition. There are many websites available that offer sugar-free recipes and ideas for cakes, cookies and other sweet snacks. Grocery and health food stores also have sections especially arranged for sugar-free and diabetic sweets.
To help yourself deal with a diabetes diagnosis, arrange to meet with a diabetes expert or take a class. Diabetes may seem as though it’s overwhelming to live with, but a good instructor can help simplify the disease and give you ways to cope. Getting good advice from a knowledgeable source is invaluable to any diabetes sufferer.
Just like you’re able to buy generic diabetic prescriptions and stay healthy, generic food items can be just as good as their brand name counterparts. Saving money is important to everyone, especially when you’re on a relatively strict diet. If you’re going to buy the generic brand, compare the ingredient list and nutrition data to the brand name to make sure you’re getting the same quality.
There really is not a diabetic diet. The American Diabetes Association recommends that you get 50 percent of your calories from carbohydrates, 30 percent from fats, and 20 percent from proteins. Proteins work to stabilize blood sugars and to help you feel satisfied. Proteins also help your body to rebuild and provide nutrients your body needs not found in carbs and fats.
Always have some sugar available, just in case your sugar level runs low. This could be in the form of glucose tablets, orange juice or candy. Instruct your family and friends about where your sugar is in case you ever have a hypoglycemic episode and need it right away. This way you’ll be able to bring yourself out of hypoglycemia without going to the hospital.
If you’re feeling burned out by your diabetes care don’t brush your feelings aside! Ignoring your emotions can lead to you slipping in your care, which can in turn lead to more serious health problems. If you’re stressed it will also be more difficult to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Talk to your doctor when you’re feeling overwhelmed, and work together to find a way to simplify your diabetes management.
If you have diabetes, you should try to cut out alcohol or talk to your doctor if you can not. Alcohol can cause low blood sugar, which is called hypoglycemia. The effects can be very hard to predict with different people. Doctors will allow some people to have a drink or two with proper management, but it is best to avoid alcohol altogether.
When you are a diabetic you should make sure you are eating as many whole foods as possible. When shopping you should always buy fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid buying too many processed foods that contain ingredients that are bad for your condition. Avoid getting any foods with too much sugar such as sweets or soda.
Many people, once diagnosed with diabetes, quit eating sugar and think that is sufficient. But what most people don’t know is that fatty foods can be just as dangerous to diabetic patients. If a person cuts out sugary and fatty foods diabetes can actually be cured and a person can add many years to their life.
Take special care in choosing your shoes if you are diabetic. Avoid plastic or steel toes, as well as waterproof material. These materials can encourage fungal growth, which is particularly dangerous if you are diabetic. Diabetes can negatively effect your feet, so be extremely cautious and make sure your shoes don’t make any problems worse.
If you are diabetic, eat high glycemic foods in moderation. This group of foods includes refined white bread, white pasta, and refined rice. These foods cause your blood sugar to raise very quickly, making it difficult to manage. Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet to avoid filling up on these processed foods.
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