Saturday, 29 December 2012

What Diabetes Patients Should Know?

1. What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition where the body does not produce or properly use insulin which has the function of helping the body use sugar for energy.
For people who are suffering from diabetes,their body is unable to use intake sugar and then the sugar stays in the blood stream. As a result, high sugar level occurs.
2. Blood Sugar Monitoring
People with diabetes should check their blood sugar at home, which is necessary for them to understand how to control diabetes through exercise and healthy eating. It is important to check blood sugars so as to prevent either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Knowing blood sugar better is also helpful for patients to discuss their diabetes with doctors so as to plan your care.
3. Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia
Hypoglycemia means that your blood sugar is too low. Symptoms of hypoglycemia
are shakiness, dizziness, hunger, sweating, irritability, anxiousness, and even
blurred vision. It may result from too much medication or insulin, too little food,or too much exercise. If your blood sugar is 70 or below, you should follow the 5:15 rule: eat about 15 grams of carbohydrate, wait 15 minutes, test your
blood sugar, and then repeat until your blood sugar is above 80. 15 grams of
carbohydrate is found in a half glass of juice or regular soda, 3 glucose tablets, or a cup of nonfat cow’s milk.
Hyperglycemia means that your blood sugar is too high. The symptoms of
hyperglycemia are frequent urination, extreme thirst, sleepiness,headache, and
hunger. Hyperglycemia is usually the result of too much food, too little insulin or other diabetes medication, illness, or stress.
4. Illness and Stress
Illness can cause blood sugars to be abnormally high or low. If people are ill, it is important to check blood sugars more often and tell their doctor. If people  are vomiting and unable to keep food or fluids down, they'd better contact their
provider immediately.
Stress can also raise blood sugar. Stress can be caused by family problems,work, money difficulties, loneliness, death or divorce, and other major life changes. Eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise can help relieve stress. Depression is more common in people with diabetes than in the general population. Depression and sadness can be normal parts of life, but if it continues and interferes with your ability to interact with family, work, and friends, it is important to seek help.

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