Since you are interested in this piece, we assume you already know about diabetes and are researching more about the ailment for yourself or your loved ones. You might be aware of the basic definition, which we will not bore you with. So, let’s jump straight to the part where we discuss the tips for managing the ailment and your lifestyle. In this blog, you will also find how helpful homoeopathic medicine for diabetes can be. Let’s begin!
All about living with diabetes
It’s no surprise that living with diabetes is anything but easy. Maintaining the blood sugar level within the range advised by the doctor can be challenging. That is because many things are responsible for fluctuating your blood sugar, sometimes unexpectedly. Yes, the day-to-day factors have a control on your diabetes and vice versa. Diabetes has a progressive nature, so, usually, treatment intensification is necessary for glycemic control. However, the burden of living with this condition remains high despite all the progress in the development of diabetic treatment across the world. Patients across the countries claim negative experiences from diabetes, not only in their blood sugar level but also in their emotional, physical, social and financial health metrics. In other words, having diabetes means having stuck in an unwanted job with no vacations or breaks. We are listing down a few factors that fluctuate blood sugar levels, followed by solutions that help you manage your lifestyle better—
Food
Whether or not you have diabetes, healthy life starts with good nutrition. You must understand how foods impact your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes. Not only is it what you eat, but also how much you consume and the combinations of different food you consume.
Solution:
- Aim for well-balanced meals: Plan each meal to include a healthy balance of carbs, fruits and vegetables, proteins, and fats. Be careful about the kinds of carbohydrates you select. Specific sources of carbs, such as those found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, are healthier than others. Consult your doctor or a dietitian to come up with a well-balanced diet plan.
- Coordinate medications with meals: Not consulting enough food in proportion to your medications (especially insulin) can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels (or hypoglycemia). Whereas too much food can make the blood sugar level jump too high and cause hyperglycemia. It is essential to coordinate your medication schedule with your meals.
- Avoid high-sugar beverages: Sugar-loaded beverages are high in calories and hardly offer any nutrition. These cause a quick rise in blood sugar levels, so it is best to avoid them.
Medicines
Diabetes medication, especially insulin, is prepared to lower your blood sugar level when your diet and exercise don’t prove to be sufficient in managing diabetes. However, timing and medication dosage are essential in determining its effectiveness. The blood sugar level is also affected by other medications one consumes for various conditions.
Solution:
Be cautious with new medications: Since various medications can mess with blood sugar levels, you must be careful about what you put in your system. If your doctor prescribes a new medication for high cholesterol or high blood pressure, you must inform them about your diabetes or ask if the new medicine affects your sugar.
Store insulin properly: Insulin may lose its effectiveness if it is not stored correctly or has crossed its expiration date. Insulin is sensitive to extreme temperatures, so keep it in the right conditions.
Try alternative medications: Alternative medicines can be tried in case of diabetes as homoeopathic treatment of diabetes has shown proven results in making the conditions better for several. Consult your doctor or a trusted homoeopathic doctor to start your treatment.
Other illnesses
Taking care of diabetes is a challenge in itself; sick days level up the challenge for the patients. When you have diabetes, sick days mean more than sneezing and a runny nose. When you get sick, your body releases stress-related hormones that help it to fight the ailment. But, these hormones can elevate your blood sugar level. Also, changes in appetite or day-to-day activity can make diabetes management more complicated.
Solution:
- Diet: Ensure you consume 30 to 50 grams of carbohydrates every 3 hours. Doing this will keep your body nourished and prevent it from producing ketones and lowering blood sugar levels. If you face trouble consuming regular food, you can try bland foods. You can drink calorie-free liquids like diet soda, clear broth or simple water for additional hydration.
- Continue with your diabetes medications: Call your doctor if nausea or vomiting prevents you from eating. Due to the risk of hypoglycemia, you may need to change your insulin dosage in certain circumstances and temporarily cut back on or stop taking short-acting insulin or diabetes medication. Don’t stop taking your long-acting insulin, though. You must check your blood sugar levels when you are sick regularly. Your doctor may also advise you for a urine check for the presence of ketones.
With the correct information, you can learn to take care of yourself while managing your diabetes and lifestyle changes. Use these tips to balance your life and diabetes in the best way.
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