Diabetes is a very dangerous disease and unfortunately, many people don't even realize they have it. Since treatment is vital to regulating the rampant blood sugar levels, it's important to know what the symptoms of diabetes are and to look for them. The following are all tell-tale signs that you may be diabetic and need to contact a health care professional right away.
1. Excessive thirst. Extreme levels of blood glucose can dehydrate, leaving you desperate for more water. If you often feel very thirsty and can't quench it no matter how much you drink, get yourself checked.
2. Too many trips to the bathroom. Along with taking in large amounts of water, frequent urination is common among people suffering from diabetes; liquids will pass through you quickly, leaving you with a sudden urge to go.
3. Sudden unintended weight loss. Since a diabetic is unable to metabolize properly, the entire system becomes destabilized. Weigh loss can be very sudden and effortless; this is never a good sign, even if diabetes is not the culprit so talk to your physician immediately.
4. Being overly tired all of the time. Most people are busy and tend to look forward to crashing at the end of the day; however, if you're feeling this way at different times throughout your day and on a consistent basis, your chronic fatigue could indicate an underlying problem. Many diabetics report having low amounts of energy.
5. Hands and feet going numb and tingling. Even if you don't sit for long periods or in an awkward position, extremities can lose feeling or give you that funny tickling and tingling sensation. Should this occur frequently, you should at least take note of it along with other issues and give your doctor's office a call.
6. Decline or difference in vision. As we age vision can become problematic, but don't automatically attribute your eye problems to getting older; call your optometrist right away and report any changes. Diabetics often complain of blurred vision or unexplained spots in the visual field; this important sign that something is off should never be ignored.
7. Bruising too easily. This can be genetic or caused by a vitamin deficiency; however, if your bruising problem developed only recently it could be a tell-tale sign of poor glucose regulation. Either way, your doctor should be made aware of your condition.
8. Feeling famished and moody between meals. Suddenly feeling like you are starving and acting almost obsessive about eating may indicate a problem. Especially if you notice extreme variations in your mood when you are hungry, this may very well be a sign that your glucose is spiking at extreme levels. Your hands may shake as well.
If any of these symptoms persist in your life, call your doctor. Although some of them may be experienced temporarily and in the absence of a threatening health condition, most are telling you that something is severely out of balance in your body. Make diabetic testing a priority so that you can address the disease if you have it and learn the steps to preventing it if you don't. It's very important to your well-being and a healthy future.
Diabetes is a condition that affects a number of people everywhere. If you have it, you are not alone. In fact, there are many steps you can take to make your life better in spite of your condition. This article contains tips to help you make diabetes more manageable.
Exercises is important for anyone; however, it is more important for people who have diabetes. Exercise helps you to metabolize sugar correctly. That means that it becomes easier for you to keep your blood sugar level stable. Any type of exercise is acceptable. However, aerobics today about 3 to 4 times a week is probably the best for you. Exercise will also help you to get rid of those extra pounds you're hanging on to. When you're overweight, the extra weight causes your body to metabolize years differently. When you do this, your body works harder as well. You need your body to break down sugar the right away, and that will happen with extra weight on your body.
Your diet is paramount when you have diabetes. While you might be tempted to go after a fad diet in order to lose weight quickly, it can often be very problematic. Your body needs carbohydrates to survive, so you can't just cut them out of your diet. The smart idea is to switch from simple carbohydrates like pasta, bread, and other "white" foods to complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, which contain a lot of fiber. Fiber is a good thing for you in a number of ways, but fiber primarily slows down the breakdown of sugar. That means your sugar levels will not be too high at one time. Fiber is found in nuts, fruits and many other foods. Fiber will also cut your cravings, so that you can keep your weight under control.
You also need to see your doctor regularly. When you see your doctor often, he can help you with more tips about taking care of your diabetes. Your doctor can also monitor how your diabetes is being taken care of and progressing. Ask your doctor if you should see an endocrinologist, who specializes in hormones. That kind of doctor may be more helpful, but you may need a referral from your general practitioner first.
Think about ways you can cut down on your stress. Diabetes is a constant thing in your life, and sometimes it can be a source of stress. Try cutting out stress in other areas of your life, and think seriously about taking up activities that cut down on stress. Perhaps just an hour every night reading or listening to soft music will help you maintain a state of calm in your life. When you are calmer, dealing with your diabetes becomes easier because you come at it with a perspective of peace.
Managing diabetes is different for everyone. It can be hard to figure out what works best for you, which is why this article has hopefully given you some ideas that you can try. Good luck!
Being a diabetic means you've got lots of changes to make in your life and it can all be very overwhelming at first. Prepare yourself for successful management of your disease by reading the following article; it will help you understand what work lies ahead of you and how you can help yourself cope.
1. Become a quick-study. Look online for all the information you need about your type of diabetes and the best things you can do for yourself. Ask your doctor's office what you should be reading to learn more. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to understanding and managing any disease and diabetes is no exception. You will find that once you become well-versed with what's going on with your body, the stress and anxiety of being diabetic is somewhat alleviated.
2. Listen to your physician's advice. Diabetes can be so precarious if not attended to properly, you can find yourself on the floor if you fail to follow your doctor's orders! Ask questions before hand, but never make adjustments yourself unless you've been taught how to and under what circumstances. Make taking medication a strict procedure in your life every day.
3. Find support. Look for advice from other diabetics and ask friends and family for help. Make sure they know what the danger signs can be for a diabetic and how to react quickly. If you are feeling particularly tired and have a lot to do, ask them to give you a hand. Support is essential to managing your disease and your life. Find out if there are any local groups specifically dedicated to helping people recently diagnosed with diabetes and learning to adapt. Look online if you are so inclined, but just don't go it alone.
4. Subscribe to diabetic magazines and get a cookbook. New discoveries can significantly improve the life of any diabetic and keeping up with what's going on is challenging and time-consuming; keep yourself in the loop with a reputable magazine. Invest in a great cookbook that will keep your glucose stable while allowing you to still love food.
5. Exercise in moderation and with your doctor's approval. Physical activity is a necessity to weight management and improved metabolism. Discover your favorite type of workout and make a regular habit of it. Walking is a low-impact and easy exercise you can do just about anywhere and anytime, so just put one foot in front of the other and keep up your health.
6. Learn ways to lift your psyche above the chaos. Stress poses a big threat to you, now more than ever; learn to control it and benefit from relaxation. Stress and anxiety will complicate your diabetes and drain your precious energy. Try different forms of meditation until you find one that really helps you.
More and more people are diagnosed with diabetes everyday. If you're one of them, you've suddenly got a lot on your plate. Arm yourself with knowledge and adhere to the program your doctor prescribes. With a little time and practice you will make all the necessary adjustments and have everything under control.
If you have diabetes, you know how serious it is. There are some fundamentals you need to know before you become too overwhelmed or frightened by your disease. Here is some great information to help you manage this condition.
Losing weight is important for a lot of people, but losing weight can be a matter of life and death for people with diabetes. When you have diabetes, you need to understand that it affects the way your body processes sugar. Your needs for insulin are often higher when you have more weight on your body. Many people have been able to use less diabetes medication when they lose weight.
Do you best to lose weight when you can by adopting a healthy diet. While there is no one food that you should avoid, it is important that you remember to keep the carbohydrate intake low. You can switch from white breads and pastas to complex carbohydrates, which can often help sugar metabolize more slowly in your body, avoiding high blood sugar level spikes.
In addition to losing weight, exercise is something that most diabetics need to do. If you're not used exercising, you may not know that there's anything you can do. However, there are many things for you to try, from dancing to boxing. To start, try some aerobic activity a couple times a week, and you'll see that you start to feel changes. Exercise can help increase circulation which is important for diabetics. Exercise can also contribute to weight loss. Talk to your doctor about which exercises are safe for you.
Talk to other people who have diabetes. People without diabetes sometimes have a hard time understanding what it is you're going through. When you have the opportunity to talk to other people who have your disease, you feel more confident about your ability to handle the disease. Talking to other diabetics gives you the support you need to continue to lead a healthy lifestyle. They can also offer tips and suggestions about how to deal with certain parts of your disease. You can even be a source of inspiration to someone else.
The most important thing you can do when you have diabetes is to learn about the disease. Find out what you can from your doctor, but don't let that be the only step you take. It's important to go to the library or the Internet as much as you can. When you know what is happening with your body, your treatment makes more sense. You also be more likely to comply with your treatment if you know why your body is doing what it is doing.
As you can see diabetes requires that you make a few changes to lifestyle. However, these are changes that many people are made in the past. Your diabetes is not the entirety of your life. Use the information here to get your diabetes under control, and then you'll be able to lead a happy life in spite of your diabetes.
