10 Important Things You Must Know If You Have Diabetes

10 Important Things You Must Know If You Have Diabetes

Article by Arif Rahim

10 Important Things You Must Know If You Have Diabetes

Diabetes presently affects more than 280 million people worldwide, with 6% of the United States’ whole population, and is estimated to double by the year 2030. Diabetes is a serious condition, but by choosing healthy foods, being physically active, and monitoring blood sugar levels, you can greatly reduce your chance of developing the complications associated with diabetes. Here are a few helpful tips for living well with this disease:

1. Take a walk

Walking regularly can help make your body more sensitive to insulin, increase weight loss, and give you better control of your blood sugar levels. Not just is it relaxed on your muscles and joints, but it rarely causes low blood sugar. Other modes of exercise, such as cycling, swimming, jogging, aerobics, and weight lifting can also be included in your exercise plan.

2. Take good care of your feet

Tending to your feet is essential in maintaining an energetic, healthy lifestyle. Your feet are vulnerable to poor movement and diabetic nerve injury, making it easier for you to sustain injuries that do not heal and get infected. Be sure to wear well-fitting, comfortable shoes and socks, and be sure to check your feet on the end of every day to look for cuts, blisters, or other skin irritations.

3. Know high blood sugar symptoms

The symptoms of hyperglycemia differ for every person, but, normally, if your blood sugar is high, you will:

Have to urinate more frequentlyFeel extremely tired or will lack energyFeel hungrier or thirstier than usualHave blurry or distorted visionRegulating your blood glucose levels is dangerous to living healthy. Hyperglycemia puts you on risk for heart problems, infections, stroke, vision impairment, amputation, kidney disease, and sexual problems.

4. Lose weight

Being fat makes blood sugar control especially difficult since this causes resistance to insulin. Extra weight may also raise your blood pressure, making you more prone to kidney disease or stroke.

5. Always carry healthy snacks

Carrying healthy snacks can help you avoid unhealthy alternatives, such as junk food or fast food, and can significantly reduce the ability of developing hypoglycemia. Choose healthy snacks with 15 grams of carbohydrates or less for every serving, particularly whole grain foods, fruits, and vegetables.

6. Understand that sugar-free foods are not calorie- and carb-free

While a food labeled “sugar-free” must have less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving, it might still contain calories and carbohydrates. Sugar-free pudding, for example, contains 0 grams of sugar per serving, but still has 70 calories and 6 grams of carbohydrates.

7. Limit alcohol

Alcohol will interfere with your body’s ability to generate blood sugar. While a smallest amount will generally not cause low blood sugar, too much can result in low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.

8. Get an annual eye exam

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the United States; however, many eye problems are treatable if detected early. People with diabetes are as well prone to developing cataracts or double vision. An annual eye exam by a doctor who specializes in diabetic eye disease is the finest way to detect eye problems in the early stages when they are most easily treated.

9. Be especially cautious about blood sugar during pregnancy

Babies born to diabetic mothers contain greater risks for birth defects and stillbirth. However, many problems can be averted if you maintain near normal blood sugar before and during pregnancy. It is most critical to control your blood sugar during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy when the baby’s organs are forming in order to reduce these risks.

10. Employ a good healthcare team

Having a competent and compassionate healthcare team is the best strategy to manage diabetes. Your family physician, a diabetes education nurse, and a nutritionist are all core members of your team and can help you live healthy with diabetes.

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