8 Home Care Measures for Living with Diabetes
This article is about living with diabetes and offers some very helpful tips. Diabetes, in general terms refers to the condition where the pancreas in the human body stops producing insulin which results in high blood sugar. The general symptoms which follow are increased thirst, frequent urination and increased hunger. If left untreated diabetes can cause several complications for a patient, which includes renal failure, retinal damage and various other cardiovascular diseases. All the aforementioned diseases can have some major degree repercussions on a person’s health and can eventually give rise to some fatal diseases like cancer. Diabetes, despite of such major repercussions can be kept in check with proper treatment and following some simple measures which can easily be followed by a person. In this article we shall discuss the ‘must follow’ home care measures for a patient living with diabetes.
Considerations for Living with Diabetes
1. No Smoking
This is the first thing a person living with diabetes should follow. Smoking tobacco can increase the blood sugar levels. Nicotine in particular can vastly increase the level of Haemoglobin A1c which is the standard indicator for blood sugar level. Smoking can cause circulation blockages including an increased stress on a patient’s lungs. Thus no smoking should be the patient’s motto no matter what.
2. Keeping Blood Pressure And Cholesterol In Check
A general symptom of living with diabetes is the unnatural levels of hunger a patient might feel. Thus keeping a check on the diet and cholesterol levels is necessary. High cholesterol in the body can have several adverse effects on a patient, including the increased risk of clotting, and circulation blockages. A patient should keep a good check on his food intake and maintain a healthy diet. Make sure there is a low intake of high cholesterol containing foods products and oily substances are a big no. If possible, follow a vegan diet as it provides the adequate number of nutrients needed by the body. Food with low carbohydrates and fats will not only keep your body healthy but also helps combat the disease.
3. Regular Physical And Eye Examinations
Diabetes involves the risk of many diseases including cardiovascular and retinal diseases. Even if you get regular diabetic checkups it cannot substitute the yearly physical and retinal checkups. With these physical examinations you can make sure that whatever measures you are taking to keep your blood sugar in check are working. Any signs of diseases in the kidney, lungs, heart and nerve damage should be kept in check. Retinal examinations will keep you from developing any retinal damage, glaucoma and cataract. Remember, a healthy body leaves fewer loopholes for any diseases to develop and a better chance of fighting against this disease.
4. Regular Dental Checkups
The high levels of glucose in blood can lead to a number of teeth and gum related issues, especially when it comes to patients aging between adolescence to adulthood. Tooth decay, salivary gland dysfunctions, impaired taste and periodontal disease is a common problem with diabetic patients. Proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups is a must for all diabetic patients in an interval of 3-4 months. Diabetics can prevent tooth loss in later stages by controlling their blood sugar levels and dental checkups pretty effectively.
5. Pay Attention To Your Feet
Living with diabetes also means paying attention to your feet. High blood sugar can also affect the blood flow in your feet and damage the nerves. Most common symptoms involve cuts and sores, dry skin and swelling. A diabetic patient should wash his/her feet daily with lukewarm water, use lotion to moisturize the feet and ankles. Check the feet daily for any cuts and sores, and if a sore or a cut doesn’t heal in a few days, consult the doctor immediately.
6. Keeping Your Vaccines Up To Date
Another thing people living with diabetes need to pay attention to is vaccines. As the high blood sugar levels have a serious effect on one’s immune system. One must make sure that he/she keeps his vaccines apart from the regular dose of insulin, up to date to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A yearly flu vaccine will keep you healthy during flu season. A 5 year booster or a regular pneumonia vaccine will keep you protected from this disease that attacks your lungs and cause cardiovascular repercussions. Hepatitis B vaccine is a must as this is a deadly disease and folks living with diabetes can be left vulnerable to it, so this particular vaccine is a must.
7. Check your Alcohol Intake
Even though the intake of alcohol can lower your blood sugar level, is still not a cure for your disease. Alcohol can cause glycogeneisis in your liver along with impaired judgement, effects on memory and concentration can lead to hypoglycaemia. Not to mention the increased calorie intake that comes along. Although the intake of alcohol is not restricted for a diabetic patient, it is necessary to control its intake as it can eventually worsen your condition. Diabetic or not, responsible drinking is always the right thing to do and follow.
8. Daily Dose Of Aspirin
Diabetics are susceptible to increased blood clotting which can lead to various cardiovascular diseases. An Aspirin reduces your blood’s ability to clot. So consult your physician and consider a daily dose of aspirin, which will reduce the risk of various heart diseases like stroke and heart attack due to blood clotting and blockages. There are however, various measures that can further lower the chances of illness for a person living with diabetes, but following the above measures which are pretty simple to follow and will help you maintain a healthy and normal life.
See this informative article which depicts how a child living with diabetes copes in his every day life. Author Bio: Rohit Agarwal is a contributor to homecarespot.com that offers various kinds of home care services including info on living with diabetes. He is a keen reader of various medical related topics and is always on the lookout for the latest happenings in the medicinal field.
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