The Basics of Living with Diabetes

Diabetes is dangerous because the damage it causes to arteries and nerves leave the body open to many other health threats. People with type 2 diabetes have up to four times the risk of death from heart disease and stroke as those without diabetes. The risk of heart attack for type 2 diabetics over 30 is as high as someone who has already had a heart attack. 50% of the US's amputations are caused by diabetes. These amputations are usually necessary due to poor circulation resulting from artery damage. Poor circulation can cause many sores and infections. One third of all type 2 diabetics will develop kidney damage. People with diabetes are also much more likely to have blindness, high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol.

Diabetes is treated by maintaining a normal blood sugar level. It cannot be too high or too low. If a normal blood sugar level is maintained, the vast majority of the health risks associated with diabetes can be avoided. Diet and exercise are also important to preventing the health risks of diabetes.

To properly maintain a safe blood sugar level, your blood sugar level needs to be regularly checked with glucose monitors. Once regular checks become routine, it will become a lot easier to see how various aspects of your lifestyle and diet affect your blood sugar level. This makes it easier for both you and your doctor decide how to best plan your treatment.

Some diabetics will also need medications or insulin injections to maintain a normal blood sugar level.

Call for help if:

- You feel nausea or are vomiting
- Your breathing is irregular
- You feel dizzy or your vision is distorted
- Your breath smells fruity or like nail polish remover
- You feel weak or irregularly tired
- You have a wound that won't heal
- You feel the need to drink or urinate excessively

These days there are many more glucose monitors being developed to simplify the process or make it more comfortable for its users. Every glucose meter is different so you will need to follow the instructions that came with your device as well as the instructions your doctor gave you.

- Remember to wash and dry your hands before performing the test.
- Use alcohol and a cotton swab to clean the part of your body you are going to prick. In most cases, this will be your fingertip.
- If you are pricking your fingertip, you may prick the side rather than the tip to make it less painful.
- It is a good idea to clean your glucose meter regularly.
- Make sure to follow the correct instructions when you are inserting the test strip into your glucose meter.
- Make sure to pay attention to strip expiration dates.
- Document regular results so you can see trends and compare them to lifestyle changes occurring at the same time.
- When selecting a new glucose meter, take into account the cost of glucose test strips as well as the price of the actual device.

Tip: Get a free glucose monitor by visiting our website!

You and your doctor should determine a healthy blood sugar level range that is appropriate for you. A general healthy level before meals is usually 80-120, but not everyone can get this low.

In general, your dietary goals should be the same as a non-diabetic person. A healthy diet for a diabetic person is similar (or even identical) to a healthy diet for a non-diabetic. It is simply more crucial for a diabetic person to watch their diet carefully. It is most important for a diabetic person to watch their carbohydrate intake as carbohydrates have the most influence on blood sugar level. It is also important for diabetics to watch their protein and fat intake.

Generally, you should eat at around the same time everyday to keep your levels stable and consistent. It is also good to eat three times a day and to avoid snacking unless your dietitian or doctor tell you otherwise. Exercise and weight loss can have a profound effect on the ease of managing your blood sugar level. Always pay attention to how your day to day activities and food intake affects your blood sugar level. The more you learn about how what you're eating affects your blood sugar level, the easier it'll be to effortlessly maintain the healthy balance to allow you to live a full and less stressful life.

Smoking and alcohol abuse can have even more devastating health effects on diabetics. If you are smoker, you should quit smoking as soon as possible to avoid dangerous complications. If you are a drinker, you should consult your doctor on what level of alcohol consumption, if any, is safe for you.

If you are diligent in monitoring your blood sugar level and responsible with your diet and general health, it is perfectly possible to live a normal life, with a few inconveniences.