Tips On How To Live With Diabetes
If you have diabetes, you know that caring for your health is very important. It may be overwhelming at first to learn to control your diabetes, but adding this to your schedule can have big rewards. A few of the keys to controlling your blood sugar levels are taking your medicine at the same time every day, checking your feet, and exercising regularly, but there are other facets to maintaining your health too. Here are a few tips to help you with living with diabetes.
1. Checking your blood glucose levels regularly is the most important thing that you can do to preserve your health. Keeping tabs on your sugar level will help you to prevent complications from your diabetes. Your blood glucose levels should be below 120 mg/dl before meals and 180 mg/dl after meals for proper control.
2. If your doctor has prescribed medications, you need to take them as they have directed. Take them at the same time each day and try to take them close to your regular meal times.
3. It is important that you drink at least 64 ounces of water every day. You can count any drink that is free of caffeine in your total for the day, too. Alcohol and drinks with caffeine need to be consumed in moderation or not at all.
4. A good and varied diet can make a difference in your health. You want to ensure that your diet includes fresh vegetables, carbs, fats (good fats), and some lean protein. This diet will help your diabetes as well as help decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease and other diseases.
5. Take a multivitamin every day. Make sure that your vitamin includes betacarotenoids, zinc, selenium, and antioxidants.
6. If you have diabetes, you need to take good care of your feet. Wear shoes and socks that fit your feet well. While it may seem that this would not be a big problem, it can become one if there are sores on your feet that become infected. Check your feet after you bathe and before you go to sleep at night. Check the soles of your feet using a mirror. Never use lotion between your toes. If you have a sore on your feet that does not seem to be healing, you need to see your doctor. Dry between your toes thoroughly and make sure that you wash your feet carefully.
7. Gum disease can be prevented with brushing and flossing your teeth. Diabetic patients are at a higher risk of gum disease, so take care to help prevent it. Cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol are also connected to gum disease.
8. Sleep well. Sleeping seven to eight hours a night can make a difference in your diabetes. Go to bed and wake up at a regular time everyday.
9. Exercise. Exercise. EXERCISE. Moving your body helps you relieve stress, reduce blood sugar levels, and will help prevent depression. So get moving by taking a walk, playing golf, or even walking in place during commercials. No matter how slow you walk, you will still get some health benefits. The key is to get vertical and moving.
10. Learn more about diabetes. Research is key in learning to live with your diabetes. Do not be afraid to ask questions. By following these ten tips, you will be on your way to living with your diabetes and not being controlled by it!
Khim Lim
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/tips-on-how-to-live-with-diabetes-76521.html
admin on December 9th 2009 in Diabetes and Fats
beatlesfanatic123456 responded on 09 Dec 2009 at 5:35 am #
Tips for a newly diagnosed type one diabetic?
I am 19 and was just recently diagnosed last week. Does anyone have suggestions/pointers/tips on living and dealing with type one diabetes? Any input is welcome and much appreciated
JAJA responded on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:37 am #
you are now banned from eating or drinking sugarry based content of foods
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Tanya S responded on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:39 am #
I have had this for 25 years and you will learn to adjust to where it does not impact your life so much. If you are on insulin you might ask your doctor about an insulin pump. They sure make life a whole lot easier and does not hinder your activities as much, you can pretty much go as you always have. For me the pump has been a life saver.
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no sites just personal experiences
chenonceau22 responded on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:41 am #
Test your blood glucose (sugar) levels often. Learn to carbohydrate count. Make sure your blood glucose levels are under control (A1c under 7).
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Becky responded on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:43 am #
I just found out my 9 year old niece is a type 1 diabetic, so know your not alone and that people are praying for you. God will help you through this, don’t be afraid to lean on him.
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Fully responded on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:45 am #
for one dont listen to people like JAJA
once you have your head around injections, food etc you can eat chocolate and basically anything you want, just make it sensible and it is ok to indulge
The biggest thing is to accept your diabetes and learn to control it and not let it control you
basically if you have a heathly lifestyle with food and exercise you should be fine, the emotional side of things is also important as it is damm hard work to keep everything running smoothly, I would recommend a good diabetic team of drs educators and dietitians
I am on a insulin pump and it is so much better and easier to control things
good luck
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type 1 diabetic 26 years on insulin pump
Noccie responded on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:47 am #
Meet other people with diabetes! It’ll make a huge difference in your outlook. Ask your endocrinologist if he/she knows of any support groups in your area. Visit http://www.tudiabetes.com to talk to others. Volunteer to do something with JDRF, participate in their fundraising events. Have you ever been in summer camp – perhaps you can apply to be a camp counselor at diabetes camp.
Test your sugar often, keep a meticulous log of your blood sugar level, the number of carbs you ate and the amount of insulin you took. Look for patterns of highs and lows and work with your endocrinologist to determine what these figures mean. Do some tests about 2 hours after meals to be sure you’ve gotten down to a good number.
Good data = good diabetes management!
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I have a son with type 1 who is 16
Julz. responded on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:49 am #
well. eventually I think you will want a pump but that may not be an option till a few years past. The novelty of diabetes (there is one, or perhaps that was just me) will wear off and that really doesn’t matter. Although it will be a lot healthier in the long run, I do not take such good care of my diabetes but this means I get to live like all the other kids and no body knows, and I cause no big fuss.
I know some people who have certain eating times and restricted foods but don’t do this as you will really notice you have diabetes, which will suck.
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xaxorm responded on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:51 am #
Find a doctor/nurse, fall in love and marry, or date and move in with them, or at least find someone who isn’t afraid and is competent to help out a loved one who can have the occasional serious medical issue. They can help look after you in the event of a severe hypoglycemic reaction, however rare.
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jjadee responded on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:53 am #
HEY! i’m 18 and was just diagnosed 4 months ago.
part of my routine is
—checking my blood sugar before and after meals.
—taking my insulin at meals.
*make sure your blood sugar is above 120 before you exercise and before you go to sleep*
thats really all there is too it!
you should see a diabetes specialist/nurse
and you need to visit the endo every 3 months!
*i also recommend joining http://www.tudiabetes.com
its an awesome site and you will find lots of support there!
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