Diabetes Treatment Options And You
Diabetes treatment can be affected in several different ways. There are treatments involving diet and exercise as well as monitoring blood glucose levels and medication. While type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes may be treated with just diet and exercise, type 1 diabetes requires glucose level monitoring and insulin injections. However, it always best to discuss with your doctor the treatment that will work best for your diabetes.
Diet Is Essential
Eating a healthy diet is imperative for all diabetics. Make sure you eat at the same time every day with the same amount of carbohydrates in every meal. This will help to keep blood sugar levels consistent. The diabetics diet should be healthy with high fiber, low fats and low concentrated sugars. When first diagnosed it is best to arrange with your doctor an appointment with a dietician. This expert can help you formulate a healthy eating plan based on your food preferences, daily schedule and amount of time you wish to allot to preparing your food.
Don’t Forget To Exercise!
Another diabetes treatment is exercise. Of course exercise is also good for the heart and for weight loss. The diabetic should focus on a minimum of at least ½ hour a day of moderate exercise such as a brisk walk. Extreme exercise might require close monitoring of blood glucose levels. Speak with your doctor first before attempting a high level of activity.
Alcohol And You
While it is best to quit alcohol consumption completely, moderate use is OK. Do not have more than 7 drinks a week. In addition limit evening intake to no more than 2 drinks. A drink is considered to be 12 ounces of beer, 6 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.
Another Reason To Quit Smoking!
Quite smoking. Smoking causes damage to blood vessels. This results in a decrease in circulation, especially to the extremities. Loss of circulation can lead to amputation.
Another diabetes treatment is to monitor blood glucose levels. Levels should be checked at bedtime and before eating. And if a patient is involved in a high level of activity, blood glucose levels should be monitored before, during and after the exercise. It is a good idea to keep a log of glucose levels and the amount of insulin, if any, used for treatment.
The final diabetes treatment is administration of insulin. Insulin can be given via injection, a pump or inhalation (a new treatment). The amount of insulin administered depends on blood glucose levels.
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