Lifestyle is the way each person approaches the pleasures and pressures of our world. It's how we handle our day-to-day necessities, and how well we react to a crisis. Lifestyle includes your attitudes, habits, and such things as diet and exercise. It shows up in the priorities you set and the way you balance responsibilities. Here are some tips to help you keep control of your diabetes and make your life with this disease much more manageable and enjoyable.
Ways to take control of diabetes
- Work toward keeping your blood sugar and HbA1c in the range your doctor recommends
- Test your blood sugar regularly
- Increase physical activity
- Have regular visits with your health care team
- Eat a healthy diet
- Don't forget your medication, use as directed
- Work with a diabetes educator
Exercise Tips
- Drink plenty of fluids before and during physical activity
- Don't get discouraged
- Stretch 5-10 minutes before your exercise routine
- Test your blood sugar before planned physical activity
- Don't continue exercising if you are short of breath, feel faint or experience pain
- Test you blood sugar after exercising
Stress Tips
When you realize that you're stressed out, take a "time out."
Here are a few things you can do:
- Look for a humorous side to the situation
- Relax and take deep breaths for a few minutes
- Take a warm bath
- Listen to music
Eye Tips
- Schedule regular visits with eye specialist
- Wear sunglasses on bright days
- Don't share makeup
- Wear safety glasses if your eyes are at risk
Oral Hygiene Tips
- Floss you teeth at least once a day
- Have your teeth cleaned and checked every six months
- Eat before you go to the dentist. The best time for dental work is when your blood sugar level is in normal range
Feet Tips
- Don't walk barefoot
- Inspect your feet daily for sores, calluses, cuts, swelling and blisters
- Don't wear shoes without socks
- Cut toenails straight across and file edges
- Wash feet daily and dry them carefully
- Don't use perfumed lotions
Emergency instructions for Low Blood Sugar
(hypoglycemia or insulin reaction)
Symptoms:
- Sudden hunger
- Confusion and/or disorientation
- Unnatural sweating
- Trembling
- Sudden onset of symptoms
- Poor coordination- difficulty maintaining balance
- Angry, moody temper
- Pale skin coloration
- May result in unconsciousness
Actions:
Eat high-sugar foods, such as soda, candy, milk or fruit juice DO NOT drink diet drinks.
If not better in 15 minutes, call The Primary Care Center to set up an appointment.
Emergency instructions for High Blood Sugar
(hyperglycemia or acidosis)
Symptoms:
- Heavy breathing
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Flushed skin color
- Sleepiness
- Gradual onset of symptoms
- Nausea, vomiting
- Fruity or winelike-smelling breath
- May result in unconsciousness
Actions:
If you're not sure whether it's high or low blood sugar, give sugar-containing food or drink. If not better in 15 minutes, call The Primary Care Center to set up an appointment.