Diabetes Management: How Lifestyle, Daily Routine Affect Blood Sugar
Diabetes management requires awareness. Know what makes your blood sugar level rise and fall — And how to control these day-to-day factors. Keeping your blood sugar levels within the range recommended by your doctor can be challenging. That's because many things make your blood sugar levels change, sometimes unexpectedly. Following are some factors that can affect your blood sugar levels. Food Healthy eating is a cornerstone of healthy living — with or without diabetes. But if you have diabetes, you need to know how foods affect your blood sugar levels. It's not only the type of food you eat but also how much you eat and the combinations of food types you eat. What to do: Learn about carbohydrate counting and portion sizes. A key to many diabetes management plans is learning how to count carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the foods that often have the biggest impact on your blood sugar levels. And for people taking mealtime insulin, it's crucial to know the amount of carbohydrates in your food, so you get the proper insulin dose. Learn what portion size is appropriate for each type of food. Simplify your meal planning by writing down portions for the foods you eat often. Use measuring cups or a scale to ensure proper portion size and an accurate carbohydrate count. Make every meal well-balanced. As much as possible, plan for every meal to have a good mix of starches, fruits and vegetables, proteins and fats. It's especially important to pay attention to the types of carbohydrates you choose. Some carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, are better for you than are others. These foods are low in carbohydrates and contain fiber that helps keep your blood sugar levels more stable. Talk to your doctor, nurse or dietitian about the best food choices and Continue reading >>
7 Diabetes Management Tips For Better Control
Effective diabetes management is essential if you want to live a long and healthy life. As diabetics, we should be constantly striving to achieve perfect blood sugar levels in order to minimise the risks of developing issues and complications. Apply these tips to your diabetes management regime for improvements on blood sugar levels, hBa1c and your overall health. Implementing these tips allowed me to lower my hBa1c, cholesterol, lose weight and be a healthier person. Knowledge is power. Knowledge in my opinion is by far the best and most effective tool when it comes to managing diabetes. In my early 20s, I became somewhat obsessed with learning about diabetes, health, fitness and the link between these areas. Understand what diabetes is and how it affects the body. More importantly, understand how it affects your body. Each person is different and what works for one may not necessarily work for another. Read as much material from accredited sources as possible. Ask your doctor and diabetes specialist nurse tons of questions and join diabetes communities or support groups. I have found that discussing issues with other persons living with diabetes helps tremendously. Doctors may have book knowledge and theory but diabetics have practical knowledge from experience. There are many health benefits of drinking water. Staying hydrated: In addition, drinking water helps to rehydrate the blood when the body tries to remove excess glucose through urine as a result of hyperglycemia. If you are dehydrated, the body may draw on other sources of available water, such as saliva and tears. If water access is limited, glucose may not be passed out through the urine, leading to further dehydration and prolonged hyperglycemia. Carbohydrates are not the enemy! However, overdoing it on c Continue reading >>
How To Control Diabetes :: Onetouch
The goal in controlling diabetes is to keep your blood glucose level as close to normal as possible, as often as possible. That means maintaining a healthy glucose average - and also preventing glucose swings that are too high or too low. Properly controlling diabetes helps you feel better and reduces the risk of developing diabetes-related complications. Poor control, on the other hand, means falling far outside the healthy range for blood glucose. Poor diabetes control affects your health in the present, and puts you at higher risk for the long-term complications of diabetes, such as heart disease, eye, kidney and nerve diseases and even death. The exact glucose target level can vary by person. A person without diabetes generally has an average blood glucose level of around 6 mmol/L. Good control for a person with diabetes before a meal is 4-7 mmol/L. 1 But a number of circumstances can affect your ability to hit that average. Your physician will give you guidance as to what average would define good control for you. All people with Type 1 diabetes must inject insulin to survive. Most people with Type 2 diabetes need diabetes medications, and sometimes insulin injections, to help control their blood glucose level. All people with diabetes benefit from healthy eating and physical activity. Avoid foods that are high in sugar. These foods will cause blood sugar level spikes Keep active. Be sure to speak to your doctor about the type of activity that is best suited to your needs2 Speak with your doctor regularly, test often and make smart choices to help keep your diabetes in check We have plenty of resources for you to learn how to change your diet for effective diabetes management.Be sure to speak with your doctor to find an exercise balance that suits your needs, life Continue reading >>
Tips For Blood Sugar Control When You Have Type 2 Diabetes
Tips for Blood Sugar Control When You Have Type 2 Diabetes Check your blood sugar levels at least once a day with a blood glucose meter, and keep a record of the readings. Know whats normal, high, and low. Youll be able to spot patterns and give your health care team the information they need to craft a treatment plan for when things get off-track. Even when youre eating healthy food, you can have too much of a good thing. A good rule of thumb: Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables, and split the other half between a lean protein and a grain. Its a good way to bulk up your meals. And since your body doesnt digest it, it doesnt raise your blood sugar. Shoot for 50 grams a day. Fruits and veggies with the skin on, whole grains, and legumes are all good sources. Carbohydrates turn right into glucose after you eat them. So its extra important to keep them in check. When you choose your carbs, give your body the good stuff: fruits, veggies, whole grains, and beans. Ease up on less healthy options, like white bread and white rice. When you have diabetes, you feel hotter faster than other people. A hot body doesnt deal with blood sugar as well. Wear loose-fitting, cool clothes and a hat. Head for the air conditioning when temps are their highest. Regular exercise makes insulin work better in your body. Being active is vital to lowering your blood sugar, so find your workout groove. Take walks, swim a few laps, do yoga, dance find something you enjoy, and make it part of every day. You dont have to avoid it altogether but be smart about drinking when you do. If you drink, women should stick to one 12-ounce beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor a day at most. Men should have only twice that. And dont drink on an empty stomach or when your blood suga Continue reading >>
How To Control Diabetes
Expert Reviewed Five Parts:Making a Diabetes Treatment Plan (Type 1 Diabetes)Making a Diabetes Treatment Plan (Type 2 Diabetes)Receiving Diabetes TestsManaging Your DietUsing MedicationCommunity Q&A For many, a diabetes diagnosis is a wake-up call. You can get a diagnosis at any age, and it's important to know what you can do to help yourself live a normal life with diabetes. Controlling a case of diabetes is usually a question of managing your blood sugar levels and living an active, health-conscious life. Medications (insulin for type 1 when the body can not make enough insulin, but often other medications for type 2, for when the body does not use its available insulin correctly) are also used to keep your blood sugar under control and to manage your symptoms. Getting your diabetes under control so you can live a happy and healthy life is the goal. The content in this article refers only to general cases and is not intended to replace the opinion of a doctor or following your medical team's advice. 1 Consult with a doctor to start or adjust your treatment plan. Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes, is a chronic disease, which, despite its name, can begin and affect people at any age. This type of diabetes is an autoimmune disease. While it can occur suddenly due to infection, symptoms will usually appear after an illness.[1] Symptoms in type 1 are usually quite noticeable, more severe and quicker to cause illness. Symptoms for type 1 or advanced type 2 often include:[2] Increased thirst and frequent urination Dehydration Possibly extreme hunger with confused appetite (nothing satisfies you) Unexplained blurred vision Unexplained weight loss Unusual weakness/fatigue Irritability Slow-healing sores Frequent infections (such as gums or skin infections and vagi Continue reading >>
10 Diet And Exercise Tricks To Control Diabetes
Small goals make a big difference When it comes to type 2 diabetes, you need diet and exercise goals that encourage you to succeed—not ones that set you up to fail, says Ann Goebel-Fabbri, PhD, a psychologist and investigator at the Joslin Diabetes Center, in Boston. "I think goals have to be small and well spelled out for people. Everyone has the experience of going to a health practitioner and being told something vague: 'You know, you really ought to lose weight.' What does that mean? Goals need to be broken down into small nuts and bolts," she says. First step: See where you stand now Margaret Savoca, PhD, an assistant professor in the department of nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, suggests that you stop and look at your eating and exercise habits, and figure out what will be the easiest changes to make, rather than making huge changes that are tough to sustain. "Diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint," says Elizabeth Hardy, 47, a Dallas resident who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2005. For Hardy it was easiest to make changes in her life one step at a time. Here are 10 ways to start. Bring your own lunch Avoid eating lunch at restaurants or fast-food joints. Restaurant meals "can go out of control easily," Savoca says. They tend to have large portions, lots of calories, and high amounts of fat. Research has found an association between eating out more and having a higher body weight. When you make your own lunch, you control the ingredients and your portion sizes. If making your own lunch every day is too much, you might want to try twice a week to start. Use a pedometer These handy devices—available for less than $20 at sporting goods stores—clip on to your waistband and record the number of steps you take. Use one to estimat Continue reading >>
Top 10 Tips For Better Blood Glucose Control
My office used to receive phone calls about once a week asking if we held support groups for kids with diabetes. I had honestly never thought to have one. Why would any kid want to come to a support group when there are cartoons to watch and siblings to torment? But finally, I agreed to give it a shot. It was an epic failure and a rousing success all wrapped up in one. The kids were miserable. They ranged in age from 4 to 14, which may have accounted for some of the struggles I and my staff had in getting them focused. As much as we tried to engage them in fun social activities, the younger ones were incapable of holding still, and the older ones slouched in their chairs with looks on their faces suggesting thoughts such as, “This is stupid. I’d rather be on Facebook.” About the only time they would look up was to check the clock. The parents, on the other hand, had the time of their lives. We had coffee and snacks for them in the other room, and I could hear them laughing and carrying on. Some of the snippets of conversation I overheard stuck in my brain: “…you wouldn’t believe the food stash I found under his bed…” “…if she remembered her meter like she remembered her cell phone…” “…anyone else have bloody test strips all over their house?…” “…we change his pump while he’s sleeping so we don’t have to sit on him…” “…exercise? You’ve got to be kidding…” All things considered, it was some of the best venting I had heard since the HVAC convention was in town. It was then that we decided to give the kids a reprieve and instead start a support group for parents of kids with diabetes. For years, the group met, shared some things, learned some things, and taught me a thing or two. I already understood how complex it can b Continue reading >>
Are You Diabetic? Control It With These Practical Tips
The Big Diabetes Lie: Seven Steps to Reversing Diabetes Are you Diabetic? Control It With These Practical Tips Managing diabetes can cause you a great deal of stress and hardship for you. The trick to maintaining an enjoyable life while suffering diabetes is if you are well-educated on the condition to enable yourself to have relief from symptoms.Tips like these provided in this article could help you to do just that. Low glycemic index foods will also be best for people who suffer from diabetes. TIP! Simplify your life by developing your own daily diabetes routine. Keep your testing supplies and medications in one place, and make sure you leave them there after you finish your routine. Almonds are excellent for handling those hunger urges and they wont upset any diabetic levels at all! Unsalted almonds, especially raw ones, and other nutrients, protein and fiber to stabilize blood sugar and give you plenty of other health benefits. Keep a container or bowl of almonds handy by the couch so you can grab some for a snack while you watch TV. Add a few walnuts to your salad. They also contain antioxidants, and if thats not enough, they contain omega-3, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. TIP! If you are a diabetic, you have to learn to snack in a healthy fashion. You do not have to forget sweets completely. If you have a diabetic condition, it is crucial that you get tested for sleep apnea as soon as you can. If you receive a diagnosis of sleep apnea, seeking treatment in a timely manner is important if you want to remain healthy. Try chin ups at the jungle gym at the playground, or lift weights using canned goods or fabric bags full of heavy items. When you have diabetes, its a good idea to consume several small meals, instead of three bigger meals a day. Eating more fre Continue reading >>
Diabetes: Tips And Tools
Diabetes: Tips and Tools is a 2-hour 15-minute practical workshop focusing on the tools and techniques needed to be your own diabetes self-manager. Learn how food choices, activity, medications and more impact your blood sugar numbers and how to improve them. Explore strategies for blood sugar monitoring. If you have a blood sugar meter please bring it with you to class. Recommended for anyone interested in understanding and improving blood sugar management. Please feel free to bring one support person with you. Getting the most from monitoring blood sugar at home Effects of daily choices on blood sugar control Managing stress for better blood sugar control The Diabetes In Charge and In Control series covers all aspects of diabetes. Recognized by the American Diabetes Association for meeting the national standards for diabetes self-management education. You may choose to take one or more of the classes in the series as desired. The programs are free of charge and they are open to UC Davis Health patients, employees and retirees. All classes are subject to cancellation if enrollment is low. In the event of a cancellation, all enrolled individuals will be notified. Educational opportunities are offered at varying times at UC Davis Medical Center as well as UC Davis Medical Group offices throughout the greater Sacramento region. Diabetes classes and individual education Continue reading >>
Tips To Control Diabetes
Anybody who has the following values present on 2 occasion is a diabetic. Blood Sugar 2hrs after 75 grams of glucose (PP) > 200mg% The normal Blood Sugar fasting should be <110 mg% and Post Prandial (PP) should be If the Blood Sugar value falls in-between these values, then the person is called Pre-Diabetic. Diabetes is a Chronic Disease where there is insufficient insulin production or utilisation. This leads to long term complications involving the Heart, Kidneys, Eyes, Nerves etc. Simple gadgets are available to check the capillary blood sugar at home. Frequent monitoring can help to achieve a smoother control of diabetes. It is very important for a diabetic person to avoid highly refined food like sugars (foods with high glycemic index) because this can lead to rapid absorption and raise of blood sugars. So it is essential that the diet is as natural as possible. Excess eating should be avoided so that the body weight remain under control. It is extremely important to bring the body weight near ideal figures. A balanced diet containing cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products would suffice. Exercise in any form improves the sugar control. It increases the sensitivity of insulin. One should not stop exercise in spite of the frustration of not loosing weight. All drug therapy require proper supervision by the physician. Several groups of drug are available which either increase insulin production (Gliblenclamide, Glypizide etc) or increase insulin sensitivity (Glitazones) or increase utilization of sugar (Metformin) or reduce sugar absorption from the intestine (Acarbose). Insulin itself is available in several forms. The drugs which increase insulin production often lead to weight gain. Drugs can either lead to weight gain or weight loss. The type Continue reading >>
4 Steps To Manage Your Diabetes For Life
This publication has been reviewed by NDEP for plain language principles. Learn more about our review process. Actions you can take The marks in this booklet show actions you can take to manage your diabetes. Help your health care team make a diabetes care plan that will work for you. Learn to make wise choices for your diabetes care each day. Step 1: Learn about diabetes. What is diabetes? There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes – Your body does not make insulin. This is a problem because you need insulin to take the sugar (glucose) from the foods you eat and turn it into energy for your body. You need to take insulin every day to live. Type 2 diabetes – Your body does not make or use insulin well. You may need to take pills or insulin to help control your diabetes. Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes. Gestational (jest-TAY-shun-al) diabetes – Some women get this kind of diabetes when they are pregnant. Most of the time, it goes away after the baby is born. But even if it goes away, these women and their children have a greater chance of getting diabetes later in life. You are the most important member of your health care team. You are the one who manages your diabetes day by day. Talk to your doctor about how you can best care for your diabetes to stay healthy. Some others who can help are: dentist diabetes doctor diabetes educator dietitian eye doctor foot doctor friends and family mental health counselor nurse nurse practitioner pharmacist social worker How to learn more about diabetes. Take classes to learn more about living with diabetes. To find a class, check with your health care team, hospital, or area health clinic. You can also search online. Join a support group — in-person or online — to get peer support with managing your Continue reading >>
6 Tips For Losing Weight When You Have Diabetes
The benefits of a healthy weight Thinking of dropping a few pounds? If you’re overweight and have diabetes, it’s one of the best things you can do for your overall health. A study at the Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health Research in Oregon found that people who shed weight within about 18 months of being diagnosed with type-2 diabetes were more likely to keep long-term control over their blood pressure and glucose levels. When you have diabetes, a healthy weight reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and actually helps your body’s own insulin to work better. “In addition, people who lose weight generally feel better. It’s value added!” says Dr. Ian Blumer, a diabetes specialist in Ajax, Ontario, and author of Diabetes for Canadians for Dummies. Want work towards a healthy number on the scale? These six tips will help you reach your goal. Healthy weight loss soon after your diabetes diagnosis could help you control your blood pressure and glucose levels. Here's how keep you blood sugar under control and achieve a slimmer you 1. Talk to your healthcare team Let your dietitian, nurse educator and/or doctor know that you’re taking on the task of losing weight. “Find out if there should be some change in your therapy,” says Blumer. Your healthcare professional can also help you set reasonable goals. Fad diets are definitely not recommended. But if you do plan to make drastic changes to your daily menu, it’s critically important you have medical guidance, Blumer says. “Before adopting a low-carb diet, a doctor should be consulted as certain medications-such as insulin-may need to be adjusted in order to avoid low blood glucose.” Healthy weight loss soon after your diabetes diagnosis could help you control your blood pressure and glucose leve Continue reading >>
Medical Xpress: Lifestyle Tips For Better Diabetes Control
Lifestyle tips for better diabetes control (HealthDay)Managing diabetes is more than just taking medication. Some adjustments in your daily lifestyle can have a huge impact on your overall well-being. In fact, for some people, this can be enough to control blood sugar without medication. But it's true that old habits die hard. Here are easy ways to make meaningful changes. Regular exercise helps you lower blood glucose (sugar) as well as lose weight , according to the American Diabetes Association. Get active with fitness options you enjoy, like gardening, hiking or simply walking your dog. Set yourself up for success by setting realistic goals. Start with 10 minutes a day and build up to 30 over several weeks. Start with small adjustments when it comes to diet, too. Replace white bread and pasta with whole grains, eat fresh fruit instead of cake and cookies, and switch to no-fat dairy. If you're unsure which dietary changes will have the most impact, schedule a session with a certified diabetes educator who can map out a healthier eating approach for you. Also, make a serious effort to manage stress. Hormones that your body produces when stressed cause your liver to make more glucose. So, less stress means better control of blood sugar and an end to emotional eating. Yoga and tai chi are everyday exercises that ease stress, and deep breathing and meditation are relaxation techniques you can do anywhere. Finally, develop a support network. Whether in person or online, the other members of a support group can provide the motivation you need to follow through on your lifestyle makeover. And you, in turn, might provide the motivation for others. Change is rarely easy, but these steps will help today and may prevent diabetes complications in the future. More information: T Continue reading >>
How To Reverse Diabetes Naturally
According to the 2017 National Diabetes Statistics Report, over 30 million people living in the United States have diabetes. That’s almost 10 percent of the U.S. population. And diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, causing, at least in part, over 250,000 deaths in 2015. That’s why it’s so important to take steps to reverse diabetes and the diabetes epidemic in America. Type 2 diabetes is a dangerous disease that can lead to many other health conditions when it’s not managed properly, including kidney disease, blindness, leg and food amputations, nerve damage, and even death. (1) Type 2 diabetes is a completely preventable and reversible condition, and with diet and lifestyle changes, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting the disease or reverse the condition if you’ve already been diagnosed. If you are one of the millions of Americans struggling with diabetes symptoms, begin the steps to reverse diabetes naturally today. With my diabetic diet plan, suggested supplements and increased physical activity, you can quickly regain your health and reverse diabetes the natural way. The Diabetes Epidemic Diabetes has grown to “epidemic” proportions, and the latest statistics revealed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that 30.3 million Americans have diabetes, including the 7.2 million people who weren’t even aware of it. Diabetes is affecting people of all ages, including 132,000 children and adolescents younger than 18 years old. (2) The prevalence of prediabetes is also on the rise, as it’s estimated that almost 34 million U.S. adults were prediabetic in 2015. People with prediabetes have blood glucose levels that are above normal but below the defined threshold of diabetes. Without proper int Continue reading >>
How To Eat To Manage Diabetes - Top 10 Tips
Moderation is key when it comes to managing diabetes. Douglas Twenefour, clinical advisor at Diabetes UK, explains what to eat when and shares his top 10 tips for managing your diabetes... There is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ eating pattern for people with diabetes, but Douglas Twenefour suggests tips that can be incorporated into individual healthy eating goals for people who have the condition... 1. Eat regular meals Spacing meals evenly throughout the day will help control your appetite and blood glucose levels – especially if you are on twice-daily insulin. 2. Opt for slowly absorbed carbohydrates All carbohydrates (carbs) affect blood glucose levels, so be conscious of how much you eat and opt for carbs that are more gradually absorbed. Try wholewheat pasta, basmati rice; granary, pumpernickel or rye bread; new potatoes in their skins, sweet potatoes and yams; oat-based cereals, such as porridge or natural (unsweetened) muesli. For more information, take a look at our Spotlight on... low-GI foods. 3. Cut the fat Eat less fat – particularly saturated fat. Try unsaturated fats and oils, especially monounsaturated fats like extra virgin olive oil and rapeseed oil, as these types of fat are better for your heart. Use lower fat dairy products including skimmed or semi-skimmed milk. Grill, steam or bake foods rather than frying. Remember that all fats contribute similar amounts of calories, so limit your overall intake if you are aiming to lose weight. 4. Five a day Aim for at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day to give your body the vitamins, minerals and fibre it needs. A portion is: 1 medium-sized piece of fruit, like a banana or apple, 1 handful of grapes, 1 tablespoon (30g) dried fruit, 1 small glass (150ml) of unsweetened 100% fruit juice or Continue reading >>
