Lifestyle Tips For Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition involving compromised blood sugar and insulin. The first form of this condition, type 1 diabetes, is the result of the pancreas not being able to produce enough insulin. This is what the body uses to regulate blood glucose. Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to use insulin properly. Type 2 diabetes is the more common of the two, with over a million new cases being diagnosed in the United States alone every year. Symptoms include thirst, weight loss, fatigue, increased urination, and blurry vision. Serious complications include heart disease, vision problems, high blood pressure, and kidney failure.
Most patients who have diabetes need to have a blood sugar monitor at their home so they can perform a regular sugar check. Doctors will also use a glucose meter at appointments. Insulin pumps are also very common, along with vitamins for diabetics. To avoid using these glucose monitors and insulin injections constantly, patients must pay close attention to their lifestyle.
Always Monitor Blood Sugar
Every patient with diabetes, no matter which type or how severe their condition is, has to always monitor their blood glucose. They must do this consistently so that they can keep control over the levels and avoid disastrous complications. Type 1 diabetes patients may have to take readings up to 10 times a day. Type 2 diabetes must usually check their blood sugar up to 2 to 3 times daily, though some are only required to do this once a day. This is especially important for those who are taking insulin or other diabetes medications.
A variety of devices are available for diabetes patients to use at home. Older devices require taking finger pricks and putting blood on a diabetes test strip before inserting the strip into the monitor. Others require fewer pricks. There are also continuous glucose monitors available. This will monitor a patient’s blood sugar constantly and let them know when they fall outside of the specified range. Doctors will discuss these options with each patient to determine which one is best for their needs.
Get the full details on how diabetes patients should use their diet to help their condition next.
Follow A Balanced Diet
Everyone with diabetes has to follow a healthy and balanced diet. This is even more important because they cannot eat the same amount of sugar as someone without the disease. Eating too much sugar causes their blood glucose to go up even more and may result in issues like diabetic ketoacidosis. Thus, diabetes patients are better off following a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and complex carbohydrates, along with lean protein. They must avoid processed food, saturated fats, and simple carbohydrates.
The best complex carbohydrates include brown rice, oatmeal, legumes, and whole wheat bread. Healthy fats for individuals with diabetes include what is found in avocados and fatty fish. Individuals should plan a diet with their doctor or registered dietitian and take blood glucose readings before and after meals.
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