Today, diabetes now affects around 16 million Americans and every year, approximately 800,000 new cases are diagnosed. Diabetes is a disease that attacks everyone. It can affect children, men, women, and the elderly. It is also a disease that spares no race. Whether you are black, white, Hispanic, Asian, or European, diabetes can affect you. This is why you need to know about the basics of living with diabetes.
First of all, this disease is the leading cause of kidney failure. It can also cause blindness, and can significantly increase the risk of you getting heart diseases, stroke and even birth defects. Amputations are also common in diabetics and it can significantly shorten the life expectancy by up t 15 years.
If you or someone you love is suffering from diabetes, then you have to know what you are up against in order for you to know how to live a normal life with the disease.
At first, you may be overwhelmed and get depressed upon knowing that you or someone you love has diabetes. You may even feel that this is a death sentence. But, you have to consider that you feel this because of your ignorance for the disease. Although diabetes still has no cure, you will see that there are ways on how you can properly manage it in order for you or for the person close to you who is affected with the disease live a more normal life.
You need to keep in mind that even with diabetes a person can still live a full life. All it takes is extra care and proper management of the disease. The first thing you need to remember about diabetes management is the diet. The diet plays an important role in the life of a diabetic. You will need to put together a meal plan with a dietitian as well as the doctor.
In most cases, you will find that diabetics will have several meals a day. Aside from breakfast, lunch and dinner, you will see that small snacks are required in between. The meals should be taken at the same time every single day in order to help keep the body on a schedule and also regulate the blood sugar levels in the body. Skipping meals and snacks may lead to large swings in blood sugar readings, which is a very dangerous thing for diabetics.
In order for the blood sugar level within normal range, a diabetic should balance the food they eat with the insulin that the body gets from exercising as well as from injections. You can monitor the blood sugar level with a device called glucose meter. This will be able to keep you informed on the current blood sugar levels in the body, which can be very helpful in planning meals.
Diabetics should follow a certain meal plan as their body works differently from the person not suffering from diabetes. A diabetic should have low carbohydrate, low salt, low sugar, and high fiber diet. This will help regulate the blood sugar levels in the body and help prevent drastic changes in it.
Preventing or minimizing complications is your goal when managing diabetes. By strictly following the proper diet and proper eating schedule, you can be sure that you will be able to live a normal and full life.
Diabetes is a disease where cure is yet to be found. It is a very serious disease that you will need to deal with for the rest of your life. It is also a disease that is one of the leading causes of death in the country.
It is a fact that having diabetes can be very depressing. In fact, many people felt depressed during the first few weeks of diagnosis. If you have diabetes, you may want to keep in mind that it's not the end of the world. You can still continue living a full and normal life. But, you have to do so with the disease.
What this basically means is that you need to know how to properly manage diabetes in order for you to live life much easier. By knowing how to properly manage diabetes, you will see that you will be able to conquer the disease and make your life a lot easier.
The first thing that you need to do is to gain as much knowledge as you can about the disease and also about how your body is affected by it. You have to remember that your best defense against diabetes is knowledge.
If you are diabetic, it is important to keep in mind that you should never skip a meal or eat much later than you usually do. This can cause significant drops in your blood sugar levels, which can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms where the worst thing that can happen to you is experience diabetic coma. Also, instead of eating one large meal, you should go for small and regular meals. You also need to have small snacks after every meal to avoid hypoglycemia and keep your blood sugar level in an acceptable level.
Always keep in mind that diabetes cannot be cured. But, with proper management, you will be able to have control over it. By having a correct weight, you will see that it will go a long way in making the disease manageable. If you are overweight, you should consult your doctor about healthy weight loss diets for diabetics. Crash diets in diabetics are not only unhealthy but potentially fatal.
You may want to remember that diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, which affects the blood vessels in the retina. You may want to get your eyes checked regularly in order to detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy. Also, stick to your medication in order for you to avoid or minimize the risk of getting diabetic retinopathy.
If you have type 1 diabetes or are insulin dependent, always have insulin injections with you all the time. Even if you are just going down the road to buy something from a store, you should never leave home without your insulin injections. In addition to that, you should try showing your friends and family how to inject it to you should you become unable to do it yourself. When you travel, always have spare supplies of insulin injections with you.
If it is possible, wear a medic alert bracelet that states that you are diabetic. This can really save your life in case you are involved in an accident or you suffer from diabetic coma while you are traveling.
These are some of the things that you should do if you are diabetic. With these tips, you can be sure that you will be able to make your life easier and really help you conquer diabetes.
Diabetes is a disease that the sufferer needs to deal with for the rest of their lives. You have to remember that diabetes still has no available cure and the only way to treat it is by properly managing the blood glucose levels. Being diabetic can be very hard as you will need to make certain changes in your life in order to properly manage the disease. So, if you think that living with diabetes is simple, you may want to think again. With proper knowledge, you will be able to prevent complications caused by diabetes and be able to live a near normal life.
First of all, diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin in order to regulate the amount of glucose in the blood. In some cases, it is a condition where the body doesn’t properly use the insulin it provides. Because of this, diabetics suffer from a condition called hyperglycemia or high blood glucose level.
This condition is very serious and can really be life threatening if you don’t properly manage it.
This is basically what diabetes is all about.
Diabetes increases the risk of other diseases in affecting you. It can increase the risk of heart related diseases, kidney disorders, liver disorders, and it can even cause blindness. With proper management of diabetes, all of these complications can be prevented. So, how can you manage diabetes properly?
For starters, diet is the most important factor. There are certain rules that you need to follow when it comes to when and what to eat in order for you to properly manage the disease. Generally speaking, a diabetic diet consists of low salt, low sugar, low carbohydrates, low fat, and high in whole grains and vegetables. The eating pattern is also important as you need to regulate your blood glucose level through the food you eat. To prevent your blood sugar level to go below the normal level, you need to eat snacks in between meals. This means that you need to eat snacks after breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Always keep in mind that what you eat is just as important as when to eat. This is basically the diabetes diet.
Exercise is also an important factor in properly managing diabetes. By exercising at least 30 minutes a day, you will be able to regulate your blood sugar level. You can try going for a jog, walk, or play sports, such as tennis, badminton, or basketball.
However, you also have to remember that diet and exercise alone are not enough to properly manage diabetes. You also need to constantly and regularly monitor your blood glucose level. You need to test your blood several times each day in order for you to carefully plan what you eat and also the activities you do for the day. You can do so with a device called glucose meter.
Also, some diabetics need insulin to regulate their blood glucose level. It is important that you should follow your schedule in taking medications or insulin, checking your blood glucose level, eating, and exercise strictly.
Living with diabetes is hard. That's a fact that you need to live by. However, it can be easily managed and still live a near normal life. With the proper knowledge and self discipline, you can be sure that you will be able to conquer the disease and live a full and healthy life.
If you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes, then you know how overwhelming the news can be. You will feel frustrated and you will also feel as if you have completely lost control of your life. This is a natural reaction from people being diagnosed with diabetes.
Living with diabetes is hard. Because this disease has no cure available yet, you can effectively manage it in order for you to live a more normal and full life. The key to treating diabetes is by effectively managing the blood sugar level. Also, you have to follow certain tips in order for you to make your life as a diabetic easier.
The first thing that you need to do in order to manage diabetes is by being knowledgeable about the disease. You can’t fight what you don’t know. So, by knowing the disease, you will be able to know how you can manage it and treat it.
You also need to eat regularly. You have to have three meals a day and also a snack after each meal. This will help regulate your blood sugar level and prevent you from experiencing hypoglycemia or low blood sugar level. Skipping meals can lead to unpleasant symptoms associated with hypoglycemia where the worst thing that can happen to you is going on a diabetic coma.
If you go somewhere, always carry something sweet with you. This will allow you to correct low blood sugar levels. An example of snacks would be fruit juice, raisins, soda, and hard sweets. These foods will be able to correct low blood sugar but all these things should be taken in small amounts.
You know that you are a diabetic but do other people know this? If you go somewhere where no one knows that you are diabetic, you should have something to tell them that you are in case you get involved in an accident or you experience going on a diabetic coma. Wear a medic alert bracelet that states that you are diabetic. This will inform people and medical professionals about your condition, which can potentially save your life.
Regularly visiting your physician is also recommended. By doing so, your doctor will be able to regularly monitor your condition and help you manage diabetes. Always keep in mind that you shouldn’t take any chances when it comes to your health.
Exercise is also very important if you are diabetic. You need to do regular but fairly moderate exercise. Try walking for 30 minutes every day. This will help regulate your blood sugar levels and also keep your heart healthy. In addition to this, you need to choose an exercise that is not hard on your feet. Getting cuts, blisters and foot infection can spell trouble. Go for gentle walking, swimming, or cycling. The last thing you want as a diabetic is getting your feet injured. If you do, you may become a perfect candidate for amputation.
Lastly, know the symptoms of blood sugar fluctuations. Watch out for excessive thirst, extreme hunger, sudden weight loss, frequent urination, moodiness, and nausea, gum and bladder infections. Blurred vision and itching and tingling sensations on the hands and feet are also signs that you should watch out for.
These are some of the handy hints that you should remember if you or someone you know is diabetic. By following these tips, you can be sure that managing diabetes will be easy.
Living with diabetes is not easy. You need to make certain changes on how you live your life. Managing diabetes is easy if you know how to effectively monitor your blood glucose level. This will be able to help you live a more normal life despite the fact that you are suffering from diabetes.
You have to remember that once you get diabetes, you have it for as long as you live. There is no cure for this disease but it can be managed. And, in order for you to effectively manage diabetes, you need to be able to monitor your blood glucose levels. By doing so, you will be able to live a more normal life.
To monitor your blood glucose levels, you need to have a
glucometer or a glucose meter. This device can inform you how much glucose is in your blood. Using this device requires you to produce a relatively small amount of blood for the machine to read. In most cases, lancets are included in glucose meter kits as well as a lancing device.
The first step is to put a new lancet in the lancing device. Then, you need to take a test strip from the bottle and replace the cap after doing so. Then, you have to insert the test strip in to the glucose meter to get it ready for use. Make sure that you disinfect your hands first by washing it and applying disinfecting alcohol. Also, make sure that your hand is dry as water or liquid can produce varying result on the glucose reading.
Then, prick the tip of your finger with the lancing device and let blood flow out of it. Take the required amount of blood sample and place it on the test strip. Most devices will automatically read the blood glucose level from the sample you provided and will produce results in just a few seconds. Then, you need to take disinfected cotton and press it on the area where you drew blood from.
You then have to discard the test strip properly as well as the used lancet. You have to record the result in a log book in order for you to effectively monitor your blood glucose levels during the day effectively. This will help you in preparing meals as well as know what kind of activities that you should do or not do.
Diabetes is a very serious disease that has a lot of complications when managed improperly. If you are living with diabetes, make sure that you know how to manage it in order for you to live a normal life. Although there is no cure yet for diabetes, there are ways to treat it and manage it. It is also important to regularly visit your physician in order for you to know how you can effectively treat and manage the disease.
If you are suffering from diabetes, one way to manage it is to take a blood glucose reading several times a day. Lifestyle change is also important. By effectively monitoring your blood glucose levels, you can be sure that managing diabetes will be easier in your part and will allow you to live a more normal life.
Keep these things in mind and you will be able to conquer diabetes.
Treating type 1 and type 2 diabetes today is a lot easier than in the past. Thanks to modern treatment methods and medicine, you will see that it is possible for diabetics to live a near normal life. However, living with diabetes is not always easy. You have to remember that this disease will not only affect your lifestyle but it will also have an impact on your relationships with other people, work, emotions, as well as your hobbies.
Depressive illness like diabetes can get the sufferer to experience mood changes. It may be because of the unstable chemicals in your body that sends signals to your brain, or it may be because of the psychological and social impact that the disease have.
Besides, you too would really be peeved at the simple fact that having diabetes will require you to change the way you live your life. Suddenly, you will need to take insulin injections, check your blood glucose level regularly, and also take care at what you need to eat or drink. Some people get depressed or angry because they feel that they lost control on how they live their life. Some people even get depressed as they need to give up certain hobbies.
Family life and relationships with other people may also get affected. For young people or teens, the normal conflict associated with adolescent or puberty within the family may be magnified with diabetes, which can also become a source in family strife.
Adults too can have problems with relationships and family life if they are suffering from diabetes. It may be because of the lack of information on diabetes which can drive the concern of their partner.
It is important to remember that living with diabetes is far easier if a universal approach is taken. However, a compromise needs to be reached in order for the changes to fit in with the rest of the family. Some will need to make certain sacrifices in order to accommodate the management of the disease.
Diabetes can also have an impact on work. If you have diabetes type 1, then professional diving, driving articulated vehicles, and flying airplanes is considered to be incompatible with the disease. However, you will see that most people really don’t see diabetes affecting their ability to do their job. With proper management, someone with diabetes will still be able to work the same hours and work as hard as the person who doesn’t have the illness.
When it comes to driving vehicles, it is important to inform the DMV about your condition especially if you need to take tablets or injections to control your blood glucose level. The DMV will contact your physician and may ask about your case.
Also, informing the DMV about your condition will entitle you to insurance if you are involved in an accident where your diabetes is also involved in causing the accident.
Having diabetes doesn’t mean that you can’t excel in sports. In fact, you can have diabetes and still win medals at the Olympics. This may sound a bit extreme but you have to remember that active lifestyle and diabetes are compatible. In fact, many physicians will recommend that you should go for an active lifestyle in order for you to have some sort of exercise, which can significantly help diabetes.
Physical activities can cause hypos in diabetics. In fact, people without diabetes can experience becoming hypoglycemic. To avoid this, adjust your diet and treatment in order to accommodate the physical activity that you do for recreation. It is also important that those around you should know about your condition and also know what to look for if you become hypoglycemic.
Diabetes is a serious disease. There is no cure for it but as far as living a normal life, you will see that you will be able to do so with proper management and care. Living with diabetes may be hard for anyone suffering from the disease. But, with self discipline and knowledge about the disease, you can be sure that you will be able to live a full and near normal life.
Even though diabetes has been around for many years, there are still quite a lot of people who knows little about it. If you have diabetes, it is important that you know how to properly manage the disease in order to prevent or at least minimize the complications brought upon by the disease. Living with diabetes is not easy but with discipline and with the right knowledge, you can be sure that you will find it easy to adjust and still live a normal and full life.
First of all, you need to know what exactly diabetes is. Basically, this is a condition of the body where it doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin the right way. Insulin is responsible for converting blood sugar or glucose in to energy. Diabetes is a condition where it causes sugar to build up in the blood.
There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 and type 2. If you have type 1 diabetes, it means that your body is unable or only produces little insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes, it means that the insulin produced by your body isn't properly used by the body or it doesn’t produce enough insulin in order to control blood sugar level. Most adults who have diabetes suffer from type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes can cause a lot of health problems. Basically, the disease itself is not the one that you should watch out for. But, you have to look out for the complications brought upon by diabetes, which are blindness, kidney damage, nerve damage, and high risk of heart disease.
When treating diabetes, the main goal should be keeping your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. It shouldn’t be too high or too low in order for you to minimize or prevent complications caused by the disease.
To do this, you need to have a healthy diet and exercise. What this means is that you will need to change your diet and exercise habits. For some people, it may even mean changing their lifestyle. You also need to watch your weight in order to regulate your blood sugar level.
It is important that you should consult your doctor about your condition in order for you to know more about it and also have knowledge on how to treat it. The doctor will tell you about the foods you need to eat, and also how much exercise you need to have each week.
When it comes to diet, the general rule for diabetics is low fat, low salt, low sugar, low carbohydrates, and high fiber diet. Snack in between meals is also recommended in order to regulate blood sugar levels in the body.
Another important factor in controlling blood sugar levels is by regularly checking your blood glucose levels several times each day. You will need to have a glucose meter in order for you to do so.
In some cases, diet and exercise alone are not enough in order to regulate blood sugar levels. The doctor will usually talk to you about other treatments for diabetes, such as medicine and insulin.
These are the basics of proper management of diabetes. Living with diabetes can be hard at first but with discipline and in time, you will be able to get used to a new lifestyle and continue on living a healthy, normal and full life.
As of 2007, there is no cure for either type 1 or type 2
diabetes. This may seem like a dim outlook for many people,
but the fact is that even though there is no cure, there
certainly are ways to manage your diabetes.
Proper management can give you many years of healthy
living.
Diabetes management starts with a visit to your doctor.
first, finding out you have diabetes, what type you have
then arming yourself with as much information as possible
about the diabetes you are diagnosed with.
All management begins with controlling the glucose cycle.
The glucose cycle is affected by two factors, entry of
glucose into the bloodstream and blood levels of insulin to
control the transport out.
Your glucose levels are very sensitive to both diet and
exercise, so change in either should first be discussed
with your physician. Proper management of diabetes can be
very intrusive to the patient.
Proper management requires a complete lifestyle change and
frequent, sometimes multi-daily checks of glucose in the
blood.
It can change as people grow and develop and no two cases
are ever really the same. Today it is easier to measure the
blood sugar level.
Glucose meters are readily available and are quite easy to
use with a little practice and patience.
With a small drop of blood to the testing strip attached to
the glucose meter, the user is given the number, which
represents their blood sugar level. This in turn will let
the user know if and when insulin is needed.
