If you are a Diabetic and you can’t seem to get your blood sugar levels under control, I’m gonna go over the main reasons why this is so vital.
I have been a type one Diabetic for over 35 years and have delt with this disease for most my life. In the beginning when I was 13 years old I was using syringes for adminstering my insuilin but have upgraded to an insulin pump that funtions 90% on it’s own. Using this pump is like haveing an external pancreas and allows for much better control and freedom. I was lucky to have good medical insurence that helped me aquire such a device.
As I become older I have noticed my body changing on how my body copes with this disease. At 51 I notice when my blood sugar gets below 50 I have to stop what I’m doing and get some sugar in my system fast. When I was younger even just a few years ago I could be as low 20 or 30 and still be able to function but this has now changed. If my sugar drops to these low levels I start to get faint and my eye’s will from what it seems will skip vision as if I lost sight for a seconds.
I have to be tight with my diet and keep an even closer eye on my blood sugar level so I don’t drop to these dangerous levels.
You must be aware of the complacations:
cardiovascular disease: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
Kidney disease: Diabetes can damage the kidneys over time, leading to a condition called diabetic nephropathy, which can eventually progress to kidney failure. This information should scare you as it does me because if you don’t take care of your health while living with diabetes there will be a time where it will catch up to you.
Eye disease: The blood vessels in the retina, leading to a condition called diabetic retinopathy, which can cause vision loss or even blindness.
Nerve damage: High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves throughout the body, leading to a condition called diabetic neuropathy, which can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the hands and feet.
Foot problems: Diabetes can cause poor blood flow to the feet and damage to the nerves, which can lead to foot ulcers and infections.
Dental problems: People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss.
Skin problems: Diabetes can cause dry skin, itching, and other skin problems.
Your diet and how important this is:
Healthy eating may be the most important tool you have in managing your diabetes.
It can make blood glucose management easier, because what you eat has an immediate effect on your blood glucose level.
Here’s why. When you eat, most of the food is turned into glucose, a form of sugar, which enters the bloodstream.
If you choose foods that cause your blood glucose to rise too high and it remains high over time, health problems may develop.
By making healthy food choices you can bring your blood glucose into a healthy range and keep it there.
Healthy eating can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, which can also improve your blood glucose and reduce the complications of diabetes, like heart disease, kidney disease and eye disease.
And if you exercise regularly along with making healthy food choices, you may find you need less medication.
So, what are these healthful food choices?
Everyone can benefit from choosing from a wide variety of fresh, unprocessed or minimally processed foods like: vegetables, whole grains thin bread and pasta mixed with veggies, beans, nuts and seeds, fruits, fat-free or low-fat milk and cheeses, and lean cuts of meat like fish, chicken or turkey breast, or loin and round cuts of beef or pork.
Certain types of cold-water fish, like tuna and salmon are also rich sources of heart-healthy omega-three fats.
But making these changes isn’t easy. Take some time now to think about your lifestyle, and diabetes management; and how meal planning can help the food choices you make fit into your management plan.
Is there a place in your lifestyle where you can focus on making small changes to help bring your blood glucose into a healthy range?
Let’s talk exercise:
This seems to be a scary topic for many as most people think there whole life as it is must change. As a diabetic we must be or become more active than the average person. This doesn’t mean you have to spend hours in the gym each day and run for miles and miles, this means to start slow at your own pace and challenge yourself as you progress.
Walking is a great option for daily physical activity as it gets the heart rate pumping and is not dependent on the weather conditions or location. All you need to walk is a pair of comfortable tennis shoes and your legs. Whether you decide to take your dog for a morning stroll or use an indoor treadmill while watching a scenic YouTube video, it’s easy to incorporate a consistent walking routine into your daily schedule.
Diabetics must engage in moderate exercises, like walking, to make blood sugar management more natural to control. The heart beats faster when walking, forcing the body to use more energy and blood glucose, with or without insulin present. As the main concern for individuals with this form of diabetes is high blood sugar, walking is an ideal solution to quickly regulate your diagnosis. Over time, blood sugar levels will lower, and A1C levels will improve for a significant period. Not to mention, there won’t be sudden spikes when pushing your body to use glucose overflow by walking daily, allowing you to live a healthy and comfortable life with diabetes.
We will continue to post helpful information to help you and others live comfortable with diabetes. Check out our tips to keep your blood sugar in the normal range 80-120. (click here).