Smoking has been attributed to the onset of diabetes. Smoking also raises your blood pressure and affects your whole cardiovascular system. It is definitely not a good idea to be smoking if you are diagnosed with diabetes. Smoking also causes lung cancer and affects many other parts of the body that are also affected by the symptoms of diabetes.
Have a bedtime snack. While you sleep, your blood sugar levels can drop seriously low. To avoid morning hypoglycemia, have a small snack to keep your blood sugar levels high. The perfect snack before bed? A peanut butter sandwich or a banana. Anything with fiber is a great idea for snacks at this time.
When you have diabetes, immaculate mouth care is not an option if you want healthy teeth and gums. Gum disease is much more prevalent in diabetics, and great care taken with your mouth can help you to have better dental health. Careful brushing and flossing and more frequent dental visits are important as well.
Almost all insurance companies will now pay for blood glucose monitoring equipment for diabetics to have in their homes. It is important to keep machines in good working order and clean. This is vital to assure you obtain accurate results. Your manufacturer’s directions have directions on how to clean and maintain your machine.
People who suffer from diabetes should consult their doctor as to whether or not it is safe to drink alcohol. Alcohol has been shown to lower blood glucose, but it can do so in an unpredictable manner so it may not always be a safe product to use. Make sure you speak with a health professional to see if it is something that can have a pronounced effect on you.
As a diabetic, you may have trouble with your feet. Be sure to take good care of them by examining them and cleaning them daily with soap and warm water. Wear cotton socks in white so that you can be sure they are clean. Never walk barefoot, and never wear badly fitted shoes. Be sure to see a podiatrist regularly to have your toenails trimmed.
When you have diabetes, do not fail to take note that how much you eat in regards to the portion size and overall content since it will have an effect on your blood sugar levels and possibly cause you to gain weight which will negatively impact your situation in dealing with diabetes.
With all the information in this article about how to manage your diabetes, you are likely already thinking about ways you’re going to change your lifestyle towards managing your diabetes. The more you apply what you know, the more natural it becomes to do it without thinking about it. When you do that, living with diabetes should feel a lot less stressful and much more manageable.