Diabetic Care - Some Smart Tips
An important part of living with
diabetes is to care for your health, there is no cure though. But it can
be managed by individuals who play an active role in the maintenance of
their own health.
Some smart tips a diabetic should follow includes:
Take your medications as prescribed
by your doctor on time everyday.
Check your blood & glucose levels
regularly. This is a way to prevent complications of diabetes and stay
healthy. The levels should be below 120 mg/dl before meals and 180 mg/dl
after meals.
Eat a well balanced diet that
includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and whole-wheat
breads; but reduce their fat intake. Limit alcohol consumption.
Moreover, never skip a meal because
this may cause blood & sugar levels to drop. Your diet should include
carbohydrates, fats (healthy fats) and lean protein. Your health care
dietician provides you the meal planning guidelines. Your diet plan will
not tell you the specific foods to eat, but it suggests mealtimes, food
groups to select from, and amounts to eat from these food groups. A
healthy diet will also reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and
other serious diseases.
Check your feet closely after
bath and before you go to bed. Use a mirror to check the soles of your
feet, Wash and dry them carefully, especially between the toes. You will
need to see a doctor if you have a sore that doesn’t begin healing in
couple of days. Wear shoes and socks that are the right size to protect
your feet.
Schedule regular visits to the
doctor for the examination of eye and dental problems. Get regular flu
shots in winter and stay physically active.
Keep Hydrated. Drink at least
64 ounces of water everyday. Drink non-sugar, non- alcoholic,
non-caffeinated fluids to stay hydrated.
Brush and floss your teeth to avoid
gum diseases. Gum diseases
are often more seen in diabetics. High cholesterol and cardiovascular
diseases are also linked to gum diseases.
Ensure you sleep
adequately. The standard recommendation is to sleep between seven and
eight hours a day. Go to bed at regularly the same time every night,
and get up at a regular time every morning.
Exercise regularly.
Get your body moving since it will help you deal with stress, reduce
your blood & glucose levels, benefit your heart, lower cholesterol and
will aid in elevating your mood. Take a walk; even walking slowly is
beneficial. Some exercise is always better than no exercise at all.
You should include
multivitamin in your healthy living plan. It is important that the
vitamin includes antioxidants, betacarotenoids, zinc, and selenium.
Be prepared with the
phone numbers ready before the illness strikes. Consult your physician
if your blood & sugar levels are consistently 50% higher than usual
and if you experience symptoms of high or low blood sugar that occur
two days in a row or three times in one week.
Caring for your health is an important
part of living with diabetes. Diabetes does not have to mean the end of
an active normal life. If does mean that your lifestyle will need to
change to be healthier.