Diabetes is a prevalent concern in today’s society, as more and more people either have it or are at high risk of developing it. In order to keep up your own health and be good support for anyone you know who might be diabetic, it is helpful to know a few things about diabetes. Read on for some insights into managing this condition.
If you feel the need for a side dish with dinner, skip the potato chips and reach for a bag of corn chips. Whole grain tortilla chips provide a ton of fiber while being really tasty. Dip them in salsa to get some vegetables, fruit, and a dose of vinegar, which will keep your blood sugar levels from spiking.
Test your sugar regularly, and track the results. Keeping a log book of your sugar levels will help you and your doctor decide if your medication and diet plan are working to control your sugar. You can save money by sharing a glucometer with a family member or friend, so long as you do not share lancets.
Do not skip meals, especially breakfast. When you let too much time lapse between meals or skip a meal completely, you risk having your blood glucose levels drop too low. Diabetics who eat breakfast, lunch and dinner without skipping any meals are much more likely to have normal glucose readings.
To save money, the American Diabetes Association approves the re-use of testing lancets. These are the needles used by your glucometer to test your blood sugar. Re-using them does result in them becoming dull, so be sure to change them out when you notice the pain level of your testing rising. Never share lancets.
To make sure your blood sugar levels don’t spike or plummet without you realizing it, check your blood sugar regularly and log the results. It’s very common for people to experience dramatic changes in their blood sugar with no initial symptoms. Carefully tracking your levels will help you avoid serious health problems like kidney failure or strokes.
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.
It is important that you know how to use your insulin pump. Many people do not get the proper amount of insulin because they are not using their pump correctly. If you do not know what you are doing, do not feel ashamed to ask your doctor or another health professional, for help.
As was stated earlier in the article, diabetes happens a lot these days. If you are currently suffering from it or you are concerned that you could develop it, keep these tips and tricks in mind. With the advice in this article, you can manage your condition or risk in a way that minimally impacts your life.…