If you have
diabetes then you know how important it is to try to keep it under
control as best as you possibly can. There are many ways you can manage
diabetes, and many things that you can do on your own. If you are on any
kind of medication, you should be taking it every time you need to.
Even if you are on a fixed income, there are many pharmaceutical
companies that can supply you with medication at no cost to you, and the
forms are pretty simple and straight forward.
If
you are planning a trip, make sure that you plan ahead, and order more
medication if needed. Be sure to bring along some kind of insulin pen,
that doesn't need to be refrigerated, and travels well. Make sure that
you have enough test strips, and
make sure that the batteries for your monitoring equipment are fully
charged, but bring extras from home in case you are on an extended stay.
Just
because you have this disease, doesn't mean you can't eat at
restaurants, but you have to be smart about your food choices. Read the
ingredients closely, and try to stick with low calorie choices. You can
have as many vegetables as you like, but should you choose to order a
salad, make sure that you order the dressing on the side, then you can
just dip the salad into it instead.
Enjoy your meal slowly, and
try to take home any leftovers. You can also avoid over eating by
ordering half meals if possible. Make sure that you monitor you levels,
thirty minutes before eating, and an hour after meals. Also be careful
that you are eating when you are supposed to, because if you aren't
eating properly, this could lead to further problems later on.Get
regular exercise; a good cardiovascular work out can be in simple
forms, such as walking or riding a bike. It is important that you get at
least thirty minutes of exercise a day, whether at a gym, or at home.
You need to maintain your weight and eat a healthy diet to prevent heart
disease. Read the food labels when buying at grocery stores, check the calorie contents, what the portion sizes are, and stick to these to the letter.
There
are many other valuable resources to help you manage your diabetes. You
can find many helpful tips and information on the internet, as well as
from your doctor. Make sure that you talk with your doctor before you
change your diet or exercise routines, and keep in touch with him about
your blood sugar levels, as well as your A1c hemoglobin number. This is
important in case they need to up your medication dosage, or adjust it
in other areas.
You don't have to let diabetes control your life,
as long as you are doing what you need to do. Be informed about your
diabetes, educate yourself, and those around you who may try to tempt
you with things you know are bad for you. One last thing, people with
this disease tend to have foot problems due to poor circulation, so you need to check your feet often, like with a mirror, after your bath or shower
