Beneficial Advice About Living With Your Diabetes
The treatment and management of diabetes is critically important to anyone who has it. Left alone, the disease can be fatal, but just a little mindfulness can help sufferers lead full lives. If you want to manage your diabetes better or to just understand the condition more, in order to help someone you know or love, read on for some sound tips about diabetes.
Diabetes can affect some of your most basic functions, which makes it especially important to design an exercise program that makes reasonable accommodations for your condition. If you have had problems with your feet in the past, you may find that water aerobics or swimming are more preferable than jogging or walking on a track.
Diabetes can be easily lived with if you watch your diet and take constant care of yourself by checking your blood glucose levels. If you keep a healthy diet and make sure to monitor these things, you can easily live a full and fulfilling life with having a disease such as diabetes.
Long term complications from diabetes include artherosclerosis which can lead to heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Artherosclerosis affects the vessels of the eyes and kidneys as well. The retinas become damaged leading to diabetic retinopathy and blindness. Damage to the kidneys leads to kidney failure which is a common cause of death for diabetics.
Cut down on simple carbohydrates. These foods, such as pasta and bread, cause your blood sugar levels to spike which may cause hyperglycemia and a need for more insulin; that may result in a hypoglycemic episode. Stick to complex carbohydrates such as whole grains in order to keep your blood sugar stable.
When you have diabetes, immaculate mouth care is not an option if you want healthy teeth and gums. Gum disease is much more prevalent in diabetics, and great care taken with your mouth can help you to have better dental health. Careful brushing and flossing and more frequent dental visits are important as well.
People who suffer from diabetes should consult their doctor as to whether or not it is safe to drink alcohol. Alcohol has been shown to lower blood glucose, but it can do so in an unpredictable manner so it may not always be a safe product to use. Make sure you speak with a health professional to see if it is something that can have a pronounced effect on you.
Sickness may raise blood sugar levels because of the stress your body goes under while trying to fight an infection or virus. Any kind of stress can have an impact on blood sugars and while sick you need to keep checking your blood sugars to make sure you are not going to extreme highs or lows.
Diabetics have to be careful and constantly vigilant about their blood sugar levels. Whether you are a diabetic or spend time with one, keep in mind the advice of this article for easier management of the condition. In no time at all, you are sure to notice a better life.