Live Well Even with Diabetes
February 27, 2009
Diabetes is said to be the silent killer. More than 280 million people in the world today suffer from diabetes. People with diabetes face a new challenge every day. Becoming cautious and taking utmost care of your health are the only ways to fight the challenge.
Insulin helps the cell to absorb sugar for the energy. Diabetes hampers the insulin production in the body. And as a result the level of sugar increases in the blood and it causes nerve damage in the legs and feet, degenerating eyesight, kidney failure and heart disease and sexual problems.
Leading a healthy lifestyle is the key to control the blood sugar level. You can consult your doctor for knowing the ways to control blood sugar. Here are some tips regarding living well with diabetes:
* Form a health care group: in this group you must include your family doctor, a nurse with the education of diabetes, and a dietician. You may also try to find out a certified diabetes educator in your locality. Most importantly be an active member of the group. The group will definitely help you to live well.
* Awareness of the high blood sugar syndromes: though different persons have different syndromes [ you yourself may witness new syndromes every day], there are some general ones:
1. more hunger and thrust
2. frequent urinating even at night
3. loss of energy and feeling tired
4. problem with eye vision
* Alcohol limit: alcohol may cause low blood sugar or hypoglycemia by hampering the production of blood sugar. You can take less amount of alcohol as per dietician’s advice.
* Weight loss: excess weight makes the body resistant to insulin. It may also cause high blood pressure and thus can give rise to kidney problems. Control you weight to control the blood sugar.
* Wholesome snack: in snack time have healthy wholesome snack (like fruits, vegetable, wholegrain foods) with 15 gram of carbohydrates per serving instead of having junk foods. You can add low-fat protein, such as low-fat cheese or a tablespoon of nut butter the increase the food value. If you are delayed in lunch, you may go for this type snacks too.
* Think of the calories present in sugar-free, fat-free foods: sugar –free foods don’t mean that they are calorie-free. Even a sugar free pudding contains 70 calories and 6 grams of carbohydrates/ serving. Too much uses of sugar free products hampers the blood sugar control cause damages. The same rule is applicable for fat free products also.
* Walking: walking is very beneficial for diabetes patients. Regular walking helps the body to produce insulin and decrease the chances of hypoglycemia. You can also try jogging, swimming, yoga and other exercises as the expert’s advice.
* Care or feet: diabetes easily damages the feet nerve and poor blood circulation increases the chances of the feet injuries and infections like ulcers which may lead to amputation. So you need care for the feet. Always wear comfortable, well fitted shoes with socks and regular check for the cuts, Sores and other skin problems. If you notice any of these immediately contact your doctor. Also ask the doctor about the prevention of those feet problems.
* Eye care: many diabetes patients become blind because of the disease. Apart from blindness, many eye problems like hemorrhage in the back of the eye can occur. The chances of Cataracts and double vision are more to a diabetic patient. A regular eye checkup helps to detect the problem at the early care.
* Diabetes and pregnancy: if the mother has diabetes the child in the womb is exposed to a lot of risks. The baby’s size may get larger and it creates problems at the time of delivery. So during the first 3 months of pregnancy extreme care to control blood sugar is needed, because this is the period of the formation of the baby’s organs. But you have to care for blood sugar before, during and after pregnancy also.
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