In simple terms, diabetes means that the body can’t produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. While the technicalities of the disease are easy to grasp, management and treatment of the condition prove considerably more complex. If you struggle with managing your diabetes, consider how the below advice may help you manage your own case of diabetes.
Establish a routine to keep yourself on track. For instance, keep your meter, journal, and insulin in one specific place so it will be easy to access in the mornings. Make testing a routine and do it at the same time and in the same way so you never miss a step.
Remember that diabetics must be extremely cautious when having a pedicure. Even a small cut can result in an infection for a diabetic.
Gestational Diabetes
If you have a baby on the way and show symptoms of gestational diabetes, call your general practitioner right away. If you do have gestational diabetes and you choose to look the other way, you are not only putting yourself in harm’s way, but your baby’s health as well. If you do have gestational diabetes, your doctor can help you control it using both prescription medication and dietary changes.
Sometimes a quick snack, like a chocolate bar from a snack machine, or other goodies around the house, may be hard to avoid, diabetic or not. However, do yourself a favor and avoid such snacks in favor of complex carbs, like fruits and vegetables.
Gestational diabetes is NOT YOUR FAULT! It is out of the control of the person it affects and is very, very common. Lower your stress, and think positively about your child and yourself.
Blood Sugar Level
If your blood sugar level dips too low, you may need to drink something sugary like orange juice to get it back up. Don’t worry if your blood sugar level spikes when you do this. This happens because your body is releasing hormones to tell your body to use more sugar than necessary. The next time, try to drink or eat half of what you normally do, then check the levels again after a half hour.
This can lead to your offspring having a better chance of getting diabetes in his future. Do NOT curse your child with this disease, instead take care of yourself now.
If you suffer from diabetes and you are a smoker, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to your blood sugar levels, as well as its other harmful effects to you and others. If you have a hard time quitting, talk to your doctor about what methods you may use.
Take fast-acting insulin no longer than 15 minutes before you eat a meal, unless directed otherwise by a doctor. This insulin helps your blood sugar stay at a proper level when it is used properly. But it needs to be dosed and timed out properly.
If you find that hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a problem, ask your doctor if you should take glucose tablets. These tablets generally come in small containers that fit in a purse or pocket, and can quickly boost your blood glucose levels.
Even if you don’t feel well and have no appetite, your disease makes it imperative that you keep eating healthy foods, and continue to check your blood glucose levels. If your level of glucose is low, make sure you drink plenty of water so that you do not get dehydrated.
Some people think that diabetics can’t eat any sugar. However, this is an old wives’ tale. The key to keeping a little sugar in your diet is to use moderation when eating sweet items. Save your favorite dessert for a special occasion and limit yourself to a small serving. If you’ll be enjoying some sweets, eliminate other carb containing foods to fit the sweets in.
Gestational diabetes should go away after the baby is born, but make sure you are always checking your sugar levels. It is often assumed to be impossible to continue to have problems with blood sugar regulation after birth, but unfortunately this is not the case.
Urine ketone testing should not be your only way to test your sugar levels. If high ketone levels are found in your urine, all this will tell you is your blood glucose levels are higher than 200mg per deciliter. Rather, the ADA recommends that people with diabetes use finger sticks or test strips to get the accurate readings they need.
Egg Whites
Egg whites can be an ideal breakfast for diabetics. Egg whites are well known to be low in fat and calories, and are bursting with protein so as to give the body a great kick start to the day. Make an omelet with them, or even scrambled eggs with some meat such as ham.
If you plan on traveling, pack your insulin in an insulated bag. Insulin should remain within a finite temperature range and this sort of bag will prevent it from getting too cold or too hot.
Do not allow living with diabetes to become a complicated thing. Focus on the tips you’ve read in this article, in order to make living with diabetes a simple day-to-day routine that you can easily incorporate into your life. If you can follow these tips, you’re on your way to wellness.