Diabetes messes with your blood sugar, making it exceed or go below the recommended range, leading to serious health complications. Do you imagine feeling weak to the point of passing out due to low energy levels? This is the case for people living with diabetes; fortunately, they can cope with the disease. You should consult experts in diabetes in Rockville near you to guide you to the appropriate lifestyle changes. These lifestyle changes can improve health outcomes for people with diabetes.
Food
Food is the first change you will adapt after receiving the diagnosis as it influences the blood sugar levels. Healthy eating is appropriate for healthy people and is the cornerstone of diabetes management. You will monitor the type of food and the amount you eat throughout the day. Learn about portion sizes and carbohydrate counting; carbohydrates impact the blood sugar level. Thus, if you are already on insulin treatments, you should know the carbohydrates amounts in the meal, impacting the insulin dose.
You can use the scale or measuring cup to achieve the right portion for different food types and count the carbohydrate amount on each plate. Balance the meal to incorporate fats, proteins, vegetables, fruits, and starches. Choose healthy carbohydrate sources such as fruits, whole grains, and vegetables. You can avoid sweetened food as they spike blood sugar levels.
Exercise
Exercises make the muscles use the sugar and help the body use insulin effectively, thus keeping the blood sugar within the recommended ranges. Your doctor might develop an exercise plan and schedule which helps burn the glucose. You should know the blood level needed before you begin exercising to avoid having unhealthy low blood sugar levels. You can stay hydrated while exercising and have emergency glucose tablets if the blood levels drop too low.
Medications
Diabetes medication lowers blood sugar when dieting and exercising does not lower blood sugar, and its efficiency depends on dose size and timing. Unfortunately, other medications you take to treat other conditions affect diabetes medications.
It would be best to Store the Insulin Properly
Insulin is sensitive to high temperatures, and you can keep it in a cool place. Moreover, if you use expired insulin improperly, it might not improve your condition; you can report problems to the doctor if the medications used to treat other conditions impact your insulin dose. Sometimes the medications might lead to a drop in blood sugar levels. Finally, be cautious with new medications, and it might be better to ask your doctor for directions to avoid any health issues.
Alcohol
Alcohol can result in low blood sugar levels as the liver would be busy metabolizing it instead of releasing stored sugar when the patient faces low blood sugar. The impacts from alcohol consumption might last for a day for some patients, disrupting their lives. Thus, you can get a doctor’s permission before taking alcohol and avoid drinking it on an empty stomach.
Diabetes is a life-altering condition, and the sooner you learn how to cope with it, the quicker your life can return to its normal state. You can start by changing your diet, monitoring the portions, and staying hydrated. Then take the insulin as instructed by the doctor, avoid alcohol, and exercise. Good luck learning how to deal with diabetes.
