Information regarding diabetes and day-to-day living with the disease.
is to learn as much about the disease as possible. Your doctor will counsel
you about healthy lifestyle changes, controlling your blood sugar and treatment
you will need. Together you will set goals to control your diabetes, and you
will be given the tools to meet your goals. You will learn everything you need
to know about taking care of your body, what treatment is right for you, watching
for complications, and how to deal with your disease daily.
Your doctor may ask you to visit specialists for foot care, eye care, and
kidney problems. All of them will be part of your team to help control the
diabetes, instead of the diabetes controlling you. Various members of your
team will see you regularly to be sure you are making progress on controlling
your blood sugar levels.
If you have Type 1 diabetes, you will need an insulin injection by you or
someone else. Even if someone else gives you your injections, you should know
the procedure in case you need to inject yourself in an emergency. You will
also need to know how to store your insulin. Injections are normally given
around mealtime and is predetermined by your doctor, or based on your blood
sugar level. You must eat regular meals if you are using insulin. If not, you
could develop hypoglycemia, or insulin reaction and go into a coma.
Exercise is an important part of home care. As little as a 20-minute walk,
three times a week will make an impact on your sugar levels. Any extra exercise
will be a benefit to your health. Even walking slow for 20 minutes will help.
A little exercise is better than no exercise at all. If you already have complications,
check with your doctor to find out what exercise you will be able to do without
harming your body.
Eating healthy is important when you have diabetes. You should eat a diet
that is high in fiber, and low in fats and sugar. Try eating at regular times
and about the same amount of food each day. This will make it easier to control
your blood sugar levels.
If you are a smoker, your risk at developing severe complications from your
diabetes goes up. Smoking has probably already damaged your blood vessels and
put you at risk for heart disease and stroke. Damaged blood vessels mean poor
circulation in your lower extremities and could cause serious problems, including
amputation.
If you drink alcohol, you need to drink in moderation or quit. If you continue
to drink, you should never have more that seven drinks a week, and only two
or three on any day. Alcohol can cause a change either lowering or raising
your sugar levels, increase your triglycerides, and cause nerve pain.
It is possible to take care of your diabetes. You will need to make healthy
lifestyle changes, quit smoking, and limit your alcohol intake.
