Diabetes is a very common disease and we all probably know at least one person who is currently dealing with this disease. If you receive the news that you have diabetes, you will need to know how to fight back against it. Check out these useful tips to fight the disease.
If you're working to lose weight and keep your Diabetes in check but can't find any healthy breakfast options with protein that you enjoy, try a smoothie. You can buy protein powder at a health food store (make sure to ask if it has any sugar or artificial sweeteners) and you can put a scoop in to up the nutritional punch!
Drinking water is important for everyone, but is especially so for diabetics. There is a reason that most diabetics drink like a fish before they are diagnosed and begin treatment! Keep your water intake high to help you keep your weight down and your hydration up, especially if you exercise.
Feel free to ask your doctor any question about Diabetes you might have, from how it affects your bowel movements to if it can cause sexual dysfunction (yes, it can!) No question should be too embarrassing or uneducated for you to feel comfortable finding the answer to as your doctor is there to help!
Diabetics should beware of caffeine as it can lead to potentially life-threatening blood pressure. Diabetes already has harmful effects on your organs, high blood pressure included, so you don't want to tax your body any more than it already is. Caffeine can lead in a massive spike in blood pressure after ingesting it, so just stay away from it completely.
The Dispensary of Hope can provide you with your Diabetes medications at a discount as long as you can prove that you are in financial distress and are uninsured. You can contact them through their website (dispensaryofhope.org) for more information on programs in your area, and how you can get qualified for their services.
Find out what your blood glucose target levels should be and ensure that you're meeting them. Diabetes control means knowing what you're up against, so keep a journal with your goal numbers listed so you can easily see how well you're doing every day. Once you have your blood glucose under control you'll feel immensely healthier!
Pressure on your feet can cause major damage to a Diabetic, so be sure to buy shoes that are exactly the right size and have cushioning for your feet. There are even special shoes made for Diabetics that have specific features which are of benefit to sensitive feet like yours.
If you have been diagnosed as a diabetic it would behoove you to get a medical bracelet indicating as such. You never want to end up in a situation where you are unresponsive, and god forbid, those caring for you don't know you are diabetic and do something, like give you a dextrose IV that can make you even worse.
Diabetes being so common means that the information about how to manage it is abundant. However, information alone will not help you to control the disease. You will still have to work to apply the advice, like what you've just read above, if you want to stay in front of the illness.