To effectively control diabetes, there is need to undergo a change in lifestyle such as abandoning the use of cigarretes, exercising regularly as well as maintaining good healthy and natural eating habits.
In addition, it is very important that all medical examinations about treatment that may involve medications, insulin and monitoring of blood sugar levels are made at the correct times and in the manner that is prescribed.
Some tips to help control diabetes by keeping values below 130 mg/dl and less than 180 mg/dl after meals, may be:
1. Record blood sugar values
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Recording the blood glucose levels values on a paper as verified by the glucometer before and after meals can help in choosing the right foods that can be consumed without bringing risks and those that can be avoided. It also helps in getting the right treatment that will be effective and reduce the risks that diabetes can bring to health when it is uncontrolled.
2. Reduce the consumption of certain fruits alone
Consuming fruits with high carbohydrate levels such as permaqui, fig, count fruit, papaya, and dried fruits can increase the chances of having glycemic peaks, hence deregulating diabetes. It is therefore recommended to take fruits that are rich in fiber, such as strawberry, melon and avocado.
3. Avoid the consumption of sweets
Sweets raise the blood glucose levels because they are fast-absorbing foods and thus they deregulate diabetes and increase the risk of complications from the disease. Therefore, whenever possible, it is advisable to avoid eating sweets or only eat them after taking a salty meal.
4. Reduce alcohol consumption
Excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia for those who are diabetic due to liver overload. This is because the liver is responsible for fro regulating blood sugar levels and in this case it will also metabolize the alcohol.
5. Do not go more than 3 hours without eating
When a diabetic goes for more than 3 hours without eating, there is a great possibility of dereguating diabetes and hence hypoglycemia occurs. This can lead to loss of consiousness and in more severe cases it may lead to a coma.
6. Maintain optimal weight
Maintaining the ideal weight for age, sex and height is very important to effectively regulate blood sugar levels. This is because people with diabetes, who are overweight or obese, with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 25kg/m² are likely to have impaired glucose control. This will, in turn, decrease glucose uptake by insulin and present more risks for heart disease and stroke.
7. Eliminate cigarette use
Nicotine, the main component in cigarettes, can interfere with blood glucose levels, thus hindering the control of diabetes. Moreover, eliminating or reducing the use of cigarettes can bring numerous health benefits. This is because when nicotine is eliminated from the body, it decreases the risks of retinopathy, heart disease and brain damage. All these are complications of diabetes-related to smoking.
8. Controlling blood pressure
Blood pressure and diabetes are closely linked because over the years, diabetes makes the arteries of blood vessels will be more stiffened. If blood pressure is not controlled, the chances of developing high blood pressure increases and this raises the possibility of getting a stroke.
9. Avoid some types of medicines
There are drugs that can potentially harm the pancreas hence deregulating the levels of insulin which is produced by this organ. This prevents sugar from being carried into the cells, caiusing it to remain in the blood stream leading to uncontrolled diabetes.
For this reason, the following medicines should be avoided:
- Amoxicilline
- Clavulanato
- Chlorpromazine
- Azithromycin
- Isoniazid
- Paracetamol
- Codeine
- Mesalazina
- Syvastatin
- Furosemide
- Analapril
- Methyldopa
- Amiodarone
- Azathioprine
- Lamivudine
- Losartan
However, if there is treatment that requires use of these remedies, the doctor responsible should know about the diabetic condition; whether it is controlled or not and how many years the person has lived with the condition, so that it can be evaluated whether it is safe to use the drugs.
10. Practice regular physical activity
Regular physical exercise helps in controlling diabtes becuase it reduces the levels of blood fat, controls weight, improves blood circulation and it also helps the heart pump blood more appropiately.
How to control hypoglycaemia
To control hypoglycemia that appears when sugar levels in the blood drop excessively, up to less than 70 mg/dl, it is advisable to give the person water with sugar or a glass of orange juice. This is because these foods will bring a rise to the sugar levels and the person will feel better.
How to control hyperglycemia
To control hyperglycemia, which is excess blood sugar, it is advisable to give the person the medications prescribed by the doctor, as they will regularize the amount of sugar in the blood. It is also recommended to prevent the blood sugar from going up again by decreasing or eliminating the consumption of foods that are sweet such as cakes, soft drinks, puddings, and ice cream, and rather practicing physical activity such as walking after taking meals.
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