Living Better With Diabetes
Diabetes can be a real monster to deal with, especially at first. There is so much to learn and remember. Monitoring blood sugar levels is really just scratching the surface. Below you will find a few tips that may be a helpful base to build diabetic care on.
Understand Blood Sugar Levels
Monitoring blood sugar is the most basic of procedures to help regulate diabetes. A fasting glucose level of up to 120 may show good control for a diabetic. The other critical number to understand is the level 1 ½ to 2 hours after a meal. The normal level is anything up to 140. Many doctors strive to keep their diabetic patients under 180 after a meal. The higher the sugar level goes, the more chance there is of developing complications of the heart, liver, blood pressure and vision.
Handling Pain and Discomfort
When high sugar levels are sustained, and often just with the passing of time, a diabetic can develop strange tingling or burning sensations in the hands or feet. This is most often due to nerve damage caused by poor circulation. This is one reason it is recommended that diabetics wear shoes or slippers when walking, as there may be a lack of sensation and you may not realize you have stepped on a pebble or stubbed your toe until some damage is done. If you are experiencing neuropathy you should seek the neuropathy treatment St. Augustine FL residents rely on for help and relief.
Watch Your Diet
Diet is of critical importance. The absorption of complex carbohydrates can be slowed a bit when eaten in combination with a fatty protein source such as a boiled egg or some nuts. Foods with a lower glycemic index turn to sugar more slowly. These include vegetables, sourdough bread, sweet potatoes, oatmeal and lean meats. If kidney damage becomes a factor, eating foods lower in potassium and other minerals is essential. See a diabetic nutritionist for help with your individual situation.
Keep Medications on Schedule
All medications should be kept updated and in good supply. Filling pill organizers and labeling them with the day and time can be very helpful to keep things straight. Many diabetic medications are time sensitive and need to be taken on schedule to be effective.
Diabetes is not the diagnosis anyone would ask for, but it can be managed if you are dedicated and persistent. For many diabetics, personal responsibility can make all the difference in feeling fatigued and depressed or feeling reasonably well and living a productive life.
