When a patient diagnosis shows that he is
suffering from Diabetes, what it means is that the patient’s blood glucose
level is higher than normal. There are two major types of diabetes’ health
disorders. They are Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus or simply put-
type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The body of a patient, who suffers from type 1
diabetes, lacks the ability to make insulin which help to convert the blood
glucose into energy and would therefore need a daily intake of insulin.
Patients who suffer from type 2 diabetes either do not make insulin or their
insulin is malfunctioning and also need intake of insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1
diabetes. There is yet another type of diabetes called gestational diabetes. It
occurs to some women when they are pregnant and such a child may be more prone
to be overweight and to suffering type 2 diabetes later in life. Diabetes is a serious disease condition that needs to be
attended to as swiftly as possible. It is by no means simple but you can learn
to manage your diabetes.
See below top 20 tips to help you manage your
diabetes:
1. Take a decision to be dedicated to managing your
diabetes:
The
diabetes key care players like the doctor, diabetes nurse educator, dentist, dietitian, eye
doctor, foot doctor, mental health counselor, nurse/ nurse practitioner,
pharmacist, social worker, friends and family
will offer you some help, encourage and
support you as well as teach you the essentials of diabetes care. The final
decision however will be taken by you. The result you will get will depend on
the decision you make. It is therefore essential that you devote yourself to
learn everything at your disposal about diabetes as well as make healthy
eating, physical activities, healthy weight, monitoring of your blood sugar
level etc part of your daily schedule. Do not hesitate to go back to the
diabetes team for assistance when you require it.
1.
Avoid Smoking habit:
If you are a
smoker of cigarette or other forms of tobacco, it is advisable you ask your doctor
for help to stop smoking. You will be more prone to different complications of
diabetes like heart attack, stroke, nerve injury and kidney disorders when you
smoke as a diabetic patient. To be precise, diabetic smokers are more likely to
die of cardiovascular disease than diabetic patients who do not smoke.
Therefore ask your doctor for help to quit the use of cigarettes or other types
of tobacco.
2.
Control your blood pressure and cholesterol:
High blood
pressure can affect your blood vessels dangerously as much as diabetes. High
cholesterol intake must also be checked because it causes graver and more rapid
damage for diabetic patient than for non sufferers of diabetes. The combination
of these conditions can lead to heart attack, stroke or other life threatening
disease conditions. Physical exercise, healthy foods and sometimes medication
can help to lower blood pressure.
3.
Maintain your annual physical routine check
and standard eye checks:
Your standard diabetes checkups should not be taken as
substitutes for your annual physicals or routine eye checkups. Your doctor will
check for diabetes related complications during diabetes checkups. On the other
hand, your oculist will check for symptoms of retinal damage, cataracts,
glaucoma and other eye disorders when you go for annual physicals or routine
eye checkups.
4.
Make sure your vaccines are up to date:
Your immune system can become weaker and less
efficient due to high blood sugar and this is why vaccines are highly essential
for you as a diabetic patient. It is highly essential and you are recommended
to ask your doctor for vaccines such as flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, tetanus injection and10-year
boosters of it. Your doctor may advise you to have additional vaccines. It all
depends on your situation.
6.
Pay Attention To The Health Of Your Teeth:
Diabetic
conditions predispose you to gum infections. Brush your teeth at least twice a
day, floss your teeth once every day, and plan dental checks at least two times
a year. Seek medical attention immediately if you bleeding, reddish or swollen
gums.
7.
Pay attention to your feet.
High
content of sugar in your blood can injure the nerves in your feet and diminish
the flow of blood to your feet. If cuts and blisters are not treated they can
lead to more serious infectious conditions. Inquire from your health care team
the recommended ways to take care of your feet as a diabetic patient like washing
your feet every day in lukewarm water, drying your feet tenderly, moisturizing
your feet and ankle with lotion etc
8.
Taking aspirin daily:
Aspirin
is very effectual at reducing the rate at which your blood clots. Taking
aspirin daily can diminish your risk of heart attack and stroke. Inquire from
your doctor if daily aspirin treatment is suitable for you. Also, ask him which
dosage of aspirin would be best for you.
9. If you drink alcohol, do it sensibly:
Alcohol
may help to lower the level of sugar in the blood. It all depends on the quantity
you take and whether or not you eat at the same time as drink. Endeavour to
drink minimally and with a meal if that is what you choose to do. Keep in mind
the calories from any alcohol you drink and include it in your every day
calorie count.
10.
Strive as best as you can to stay off stress:
When
you are stressed there is every tendency that you will not keep to your daily
diabetic routine care. This may result to your body producing hormones in
response to the stress which may hamper the functionality of insulin. So to
manage your diabetes, watch what you do and avoid stressful conditions and
environments .Try to relax well and get plenty of sleep.
11. Create a healthy eating plan:
As a
diabetic patient, diet is very essential to managing your situation. Ensure
that most of your diet is of low-GI; high-fibre breads and cereals. Also include
lean body building foods such as lean meat, tofu and legumes. Low-fat dairy, two
servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables and healthy fats such as vegetable
oils, nuts, seeds, avocado etc are also recommended.
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12. Eat more of
slow-release carbohydrates:
Eat normal
meals and ensure that your carbohydrate intake throughout the day is evenly
spaced to check increase in the level of your blood glucose. Check for the new
GI symbol on foods before you purchase. The symbol can be found on everyday
foods such as bread, cereal, fruit, pasta and rice.
13. Shop smartly:
Before
you go shopping, endeavor to write your shopping list. Avoid shopping when you
are hungry and shop more in the supermarkets because fresh foods are more
readily available there than in any other place. Also try to shop early in the
week and in the evenings because such times are quieter and will give you room
to take your time and actually think about what you're purchasing.
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14. Snack wisely:
Maintain
your maximum snacks intake to be 500 kilojoules. Try and make good choices of
snacks. For a diabetic fruits, low-fat yoghurt, nuts and fruit or wholegrain
toast are recommended for snacks. Buy a lot of healthy snacks and pack them in
your fridge to avoid the temptation of choosing wrongly when you have less
time.
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15. Choose intelligently
when out on a food treat:
As a
diabetic when you are out on a treat you are required to make healthy selection
of food. If you fancy fish and chips, you can order grilled fish with just a
small portion of ships. If you fancy Italian foods, avoid creamy sauces and
share dessert with a friend or request for a skim coffee.
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16. Don’t go beyond your
alcohol units:
The
daily recommended alcohol intake for diabetic patients must be adhered to. For
women with diabetes, the daily recommended intake is one standard drink and for
men, it is two standard drinks. It is also advisable to go off alcohol at least
2 days a week.
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17: Get active and
engage in bits of as many less strenuous exercises as possible:
Include
short distance walks like walking about when speaking on the phone etc to your everyday
activity. It is also helpful to do a minimum of 30 minutes aerobic exercise
five times every week. Such activities like walking, swimming, cycling, dancing
or jogging are very good for you.
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18. Endeavour to get
plenty of sleep:
Insufficient
sleep can result in an increase in weight and may diminish the patient ability
to control blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels. Work out a habitual
pattern of sleeping and waking up at the same time every day, including
weekends. Don’t take caffeine after 2pm and make sure that your television and computer
are not in your bedroom.
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19. Maintain a healthy
mental attitude:
Diabetic
patients are more prone to dementia. You must therefore
endeavor to be active mentally to avoid this. It may help to join a club or
society to help you stay both socially and mentally active. Look for something
you enjoy that can be challenging like puzzles, playing chess and lido to stay
mentally active.
20. Oral
pills and medications:
When your
diabetic condition becomes less manageable with diet and exercise, you can add
oral medication to your daily routine. This of course must be with a
recommendation of a doctor. Some medications help to stimulate the pancreas to
produce more insulin or make the insulin more functional. Although, it is
essential you know that these medications also have side effects and can
increase your weight.
You would have discovered from the ongoing
that managing your diabetes is an arduous task that is worth the rigorous
efforts put into it. However, you can improve your health by following the
above tips. The choice you make is up to you. Every diabetic patient must make
healthy food choices; maintain a healthy weight plus much more. You can feel
better and may be able to avoid other health complications that result from diabetes
like heart attack and stroke, eye problems, kidney problems, gum disease,
erectile dysfunction, infections, loss of teeth and nerve injury that can
cause your hands and feet to become impaired, shiver, or feel frozen. So you are advised to make a wise decision
today if you want to enjoy a healthier life!
