Tips For Managing Your Diabetes
Written by Moses Wright   
Thursday, 15 October 2009 14:04
Managing your diabetes includes getting proper medical care for the diabetes and living a healthy lifestyle. Monitoring blood sugar levels is essential, but managing diabetes does not end there.
by MosesWright


Managing your diabetes includes getting proper medical care for the diabetes and living a healthy lifestyle. Monitoring blood sugar levels is essential, but managing diabetes does not end there.

Following a diabetic diet helps ensure that the person with diabetes is eating a well-balanced diet. The dietician may recommend a traditional diabetic diet or counting carbohydrates for diabetes management.

Exercising helps the body use glucose in the blood. People with diabetes who is overweight could have an easier time managing diabetes if they lose extra weight. Exercising three or four days a week for half an hour at a time is often recommended. Regular exercise can also reduce the risk of heart disease which is a common problem for people with diabetes.

A regular sleep schedule is recommended for people with diabetes. Getting enough sleep should be a priority for people with diabetes. If the person is having trouble sleeping, the sleep problems should be reported to the physician.

Stress management should be part of diabetes care since excessive stress can negatively impact blood sugar levels. Stress management techniques like progressive relaxation can be taught to the diabetic patient by a therapist or the physician.

People who have diabetes should avoid consuming alcohol, especially if they have high levels of triglycerides or diabetes complications. Alcohol consumption can worsen diabetes complications that are caused by nerve damage.

Drinking alcohol can also cause low blood sugar since alcohol interferes with the liver's ability to produce glucose. Therefore, people with diabetes may be at risk of low blood sugar if they drink alcohol.

Getting prompt medical treatment for sores on the feet can help prevent serious diabetes complications related to foot health. A sore on the foot can easily become infected and can lead to gangrene and the need for amputation.

Blood glucose levels need to be checked routinely as the physician advises. If a diabetic patient is having difficulty maintaining healthy blood glucose levels, they should not delay notifying the doctor of this difficulty. Blood glucose levels that are not well-controlled can increase the risk of diabetes complications.

In addition to having regular check-ups with their physician, people with diabetes should have annual eye exams and regular dental exams. If diabetic patients notice numbness in the hands or feet or other possible signs of diabetes complications, they should notify their physicians.

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