Showing posts with label Lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lifestyle. Show all posts

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Blood Glucose Management With Simple Lifestyle Modifications

When you are diabetic, part of the responsibility bestowed upon you is that of understanding your blood sugar levels. Diabetes only manifests itself when you don't take part in controlling your blood sugar levels. So in essence, controlling your blood sugar levels is more about making lifestyle changes than anything else. Let's establish at this point that there are pills that can be taken to control your blood sugar levels. But that is not what is highlighted here. Rather, the tips and strategies that you could use to control your blood sugar levels are discussed.

The first most important thing is to become more active. Diabetes complications tend to surface when you lower your physical activity to near zero. Staying on your PC or watching movies all day doesn't help. You need to get your heart racing, so that glucose, which is really energy, can be expended. Join a gym and get into the habit of working out. Weights training is a highly recommended form of physical exercise, however depending on your preference, you can choose to do simple aerobics or cardio activities as long as you can sweat adequately. If you are overweight, joining a gym should become primal as you need to lose the extra weight to regain control of your blood sugar.

The second strategy to follow in controlling your blood glucose levels is by changing your eating habit, meaning what you eat and how often you eat. As a start, change the number of meals you eat from 3 to about 5-6, as in the three main ones, and healthy snacks in-between. Skipping a meal is highly advised against, and so is taking processed foods.

Understand your body's calories needs so that you know what to eat and how many servings you need. This will tell whether a high carb or low carb diet is suitable for you. Avoid a lot of carbohydrates in the morning as consuming them would increase insulin resistance, and that's undesired. Rather, spread this to your other mealtimes, and try to keep them starchy and complex all the time. If you take carbohydrates in abundance, you have to take in a lot of fiber as well, so that a balance can be created. Proteins are also needed, and so are fruits and vegetables in abundance as well. Continue to take healthy fats such as nuts and eggs and avoid saturated fats as far as possible.

Good blood sugar management also involves keeping a positive outlook in life. Having too much stress in your life tends to affect your blood sugar level. In most cases, when you are agitated, or distressed, your blood glucose is also high. Ensure you stay hydrated as well. No matter how many beverages there are in the market, there isn't one that can substitute water. No sodas, or other sweetened beverages are good if you are diabetic, but water always is.

To fully manage your blood sugar level, you have to understand them. It is advisable to get a glucose meter to monitor your glucose level over time. A physician can help you understand what times to measure your blood sugar, and what ranges to expect at a given time of the day.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Diabetes Prevention - Simple Lifestyle Changes to Keep a Healthy Blood Glucose Level

Diabetes is a disease where the blood sugar level goes up. There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce insulin. In Type 2 diabetes the body does not produce sufficient insulin or the insulin is not properly used by the cell to digest the sugar in the blood. However, prevention is possible with slight changes in lifestyle and the blood glucose level can be brought down to normal with simple good habits of living. Exercise and other lifestyle choice can have a positive effect on diabetes. Many people with type 2 diabetes also suffer from prediabetes which means that they have a high chance of developing it within the next few years.

Obesity is a risk factor leading to diabetes.

If one is overweight even if you try to reduce by a few kgs, it might reduce the risk to half and prevent diabetes. The person must follow a diet which is low in calorie and fat. Obese people must eat more of fruits and vegetables which can cut the risk by 22% according to a study. Cutting down on high sugar drinks is a must as this simple innocent habit increase the risk by more than 25%.

Simple changes in lifestyle to prevent diabetes

The simplest thing would be to get at least 30 minutes exercise every day so that you can achieve a lower weight as exercise has a great beneficial effect on insulin levels and consequently blood sugar levels. TV watching can be reduced as 'couch potatoes' are more at risk of having diabetes. Sitting on the sofa to enjoy the latest sitcom is not active at all and people tends to snack as well. Instead one could go out for a walk or do a dance or just play around with the children or grandchildren.

Diabetes prevention for high risk groups

People with a history of diabetes in the family, or a gestational diabetes baby, an overweight baby, persons with high blood pressure or those with a history of heart problems are at increased risk and must definitely make simple lifestyle changes in order to prevent diabetes. If one has been diagnosed for prediabetes, it is a clear warning that action must be taken soon. If you have a fasting blood sugar level of 126, it means you have diabetes. Others have less than 100 which is normal. Those who are in between have prediabetes and are at risk. The most recommended way in this case could be doing some simple exercises like walking thirty minutes daily. Even a 5 % weight reduction can drastically reduce diabetes risk and act as a preventive measure.

Simple Tests that can be taken to prevent diabetes

Additionally, one can take tests such as fasting plasma glucose test on an empty stomach or an oral glucose tolerance test which compares the blood taken on fasting with blood after a sugary drink has been given to you. This could be the first step for preventing type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion

Diabetes results when the blood sugar level goes up due to lack of insulin for improper insulin functioning. However, the good news is that it can be cured with simple lifestyle changes and by leading a healthy life.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Diabetes Type 2 Management and Lifestyle Changes

A condition that involves the resistance of the body to insulin or the production of less insulin for the body is a metabolic condition or disorder that is called Diabetes Type 2. It is also commonly called non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus because it makes use of oral hypoglycemic to manage the condition and adult-onset diabetes because it is more common among adults especially those who are more than 45 years old. There is no exact cure for this condition but methods are done in order to manage it.

Diabetes Type 2 management requires the commitment of the patient. If you have this kind of medical condition you must know what you are suppose to do when you are at home. You must be able to follow the orders that the doctor has given and of course take the necessary measures in order to prevent any life threatening situations. You must know more about your condition and learn about what your routine will be when you are at home.

If you plan to travel or even walk outside of your home, make sure that you have an identification bracelet. This is for emergency reasons that if something bad happen to you, the medical team who will attend to you will be able to know that you have this kind of medical condition. You must also bring your medications anywhere you go and let your family members know how to administer it for emergency.

At home, you must know how to take care of your feet. Diabetes Type 2 leads to poor blood circulation which can lead to poor wound healing especially on the feet. Wash it daily with lukewarm water and pat it to dry. Apply moisturizer to avoid any cracks on the skin. If you see any sores, blisters and cuts that does not heal, consult your physician immediately to prevent any complications.

Diabetes Type 2 diet is important to be part of the management regimen as well as the physical exercise that you need to do daily. Your food must be aimed at lowering your blood glucose, blood pressure and also cholesterol levels. You must have a good choice on the food that you will eat. Perform daily exercises even just walking around the house. Exercise is known to have an effect on the reduction of blood sugar levels.

Make sure that you have the schedule for your medical checkups. This will include the monitoring of your diabetes condition especially the levels of your blood sugar. Moreover, you must be updated with your eye specialist who will check whether there are any complications or problems on your eye. Lastly, you need to check whether you need more immunization especially that your immune system is weakened due to the disease process.

This is how you will be able to manage diabetes. With proper medication and home care, you will be able to control Diabetes Type 2 and prevent the life threatening complications to occur. As a patient, you must be committed on doing your responsibility on the management of your condition.

Diabetes Type 2 management requires the commitment of the patient to follow what the physician orders. Following the orders in the medication intake, diet choices, and also on the lifestyle changes will prevent any complications.