How to Live a Healthy and Active Life With Diabetes

chillibreeze writer — Sunitha C R

How to Keep Diabetes under Control:

One has to take precautionary measures to avoid serious complications in diabetes. Every diabetic should have a chart consisting of all the data pertaining to their disease and follow the doctor's advice on diet and medicine dosages. The following tips should be followed to keep diabetes under control:

Diet and Exercise:

Diet and exercise play a vital role in the treatment of diabetes. The key to successful therapy lies in regular follow-up and treatment. Concentrated carbohydrates like sugar, jaggery, honey, sweets, ice-cream, etc must be avoided. Physical exercises help in proper circulation of blood to all the vital organs of the body. Exercise not only strengthens the body but also provides resisting power to protect the body from diseases.

The following are the precautions that should be taken while doing exercises:

Make it a habit to exercise at a particular time.
Intake of sugar or any kind of sweets before exercising will quickly raise the glucose level in the body.
Do not exercise when there is a rise in Blood Sugar Levels.
Ask your doctor to advise you on a diet and exercise plan.

Food Habits:

Eat only what is required for your health.
Do not eat spicy and oily food as they increase cholesterol levels, thus blocking the proper circulation of blood in blood vessels.
A diet rich in fiber and low in calories is recommended for diabetic patients as the fibers absorb the carbohydrates in the blood. It also keeps cholesterol levels under check, prevents constipation, allows free bowel movement and lessens hunger pangs.
Develop the habit of drinking coffee or tea without sugar.
Roti or Chapatti, Soft-Rice and Idles can be consumed.
Sprouted cereals can be eaten daily as they help in easy digestion.
A glass of bitter gourd juice on empty stomach normalizes sugar level quickly
Avoid foods which are fried, oily and have a high fat content.
Give up smoking and alcohol
Fasting is not advised for diabetics as it could have adverse effects.
Overeating and untimely food habits are bad for health in general and particularly for diabetics.
Low calorie foods can be eaten anytime.

A common problem among diabetics is that the skin between the toes gets injured easily or infected with fungus, which does not heal quickly and can lead to fatal complications. Drying one’s feet properly and protecting them by wearing light slippers or socks helps in preventing infections.

Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia:

When blood sugar levels decrease beyond the normal level it causes Hypoglycemia, while a sudden rise is called Hyperglycemia. To prevent diabetics from going into a coma due to Hypoglycemia, they should be immediately given a little sugar and food along with water to bring blood sugar levels back to normal. In the case of Hyperglycemia it takes hours to develop and several hours to get back to normal. Excessive Hunger, sweating, feeling extremely tired, headaches, shivering in the legs, obscured vision, drowsiness and unconsciousness are the general symptoms pertaining to Hypoglycemia. If blood sugar levels are not brought to normal the patient can die.

Precautions that should be taken on Journeys:

While traveling, diabetics should plan their journey with a first aid kit containing sufficient medicines, insulin vials, needles and disposable syringes. Keeping a Diabetic Identification Card (Red Card) with your name, address and telephone number will help in the case of an emergency. Diabetics are always advised to be in the company of someone who knows at least a little about their disease i.e. they should not travel alone.

Testing and Medicines:

Impregnated strips are now available in the market to test blood sugar levels. Diabetics can use it at home with just a prick on the finger.
A Benedicts Test is a simple and effective method of confirming the presence of sugar in urine and can be taken on one’s own at home.
Insulin should always be injected as per the amount advised by the doctor.
Get regular cholesterol and blood pressure check-ups.
Eye Testing and Ankle and Foot Testing are advised to confirm blood circulation.
The ideal way of keeping diabetes under control is to keep blood sugar levels under check.
Taking ones medication and injections consistently helps in controlling diabetes.

By following the above, one can lead a healthy and active Life with diabetes.

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—About our writer:

Sunitha writes for chillibreeze.