Learning How To Live With Diabetes In Your Life

By Reynald Morgan

Diabetes can oftentimes be a hard disease to handle. Diabetics have to make significant dietary changes, and also have to regularly monitor their health. Although diabetes is always a challenge, there's lots of things that you could do to effectively deal with the illness. The following paragraphs contain some great tips to help you live a healthy, stress-free life, in spite of your diabetes.

Look at the glycemic index on the labels of the foods you buy. This is an indicator of how this food will affect sugar levels. Diabetics should always look for foods with the lowest possible GI number.

There has been some debate about drinking moderately to reduce the risks of developing diabetes. It is important to avoid alcohol if you already have diabetes though because it has effects on a person's blood sugar levels. Be sure to talk with your physician in regards to whether or not you should drink alcohol.

Risk levels can be increased dramatically after even the most minor deviations. Unfortunately, only a few people will achieve A1C levels that are normal. Shoot for no more than seven percent or 150 mg/dl blood glucose.

Keep in mind the advantages to managing your diabetes effectively. Figure out what it is in your life that's important to you. Is there something that prevents you from participating in those activities? Fix those problems first. Concentrate on the meaningful things in your life, and let them inspire and encourage you to remain proactive in the management of your disease.

Be consistent with exercise. Regular exercise will contribute to the stabilizing of blood sugar levels. Exercise is a big part of any healthy diabetic lifestyle. If you suffer from diabetes, consider getting checked for sleep apnea. Getting tested early for sleep apnea is advisable, as it may continue as a dangerous untreated health risk.

If you smoke and have diabetes, try quitting. Smoking is unhealthy for you as it is, but when combined with diabetes it can lead to dangerous spikes in your blood sugar level. If you need help to quit, ask your doctor for suggestions.

You should take insulin that is fast-acting one to 15 minutes before eating a meal, unless a doctor advises you differently. Fast-acting insulins can be a very effective for maintaining blood sugars, but only if they are properly dosed and timed for each individual.

You now know the basics of managing your diabetes on a daily basis. Always remember that the tips in this piece represent just a fraction of the material available, and therefore you ought to always seek new facts and insights about diabetes management techniques.

About the Author:

Check out Reynald Morgan's i quit sugar post as he further discusses diabete in his health site.