Diabetics are a growing population these days, and everyone knows it. If you have type 2 diabetes, you need to get serious about self-care. Here are some tips to help you manage your diabetes.
Your diet is by far the most important thing to conider when you have type 2 diabetes. It is important for everyone to eat well, but those who have diabetes it can mean the difference between more medicine or less medicine. In fact, it can be the difference between life and death. Try to stick to food that is low on the glycemic index, and eat more complex carbohydrates than simple ones. It is also important to limit junk food and fast food, which is often highly processed with trans fats, refined carbs and things that are not good for anyone–but expecially not diabetics.
A good diet is a great start to losing weight, which is the next thing that you need to do as a diabetic. When you lose weight, even a little weight loss can help you cut down on the sugar levels in your body. In fact, people who carry weight in their belly are more likely to have type 2 diabetes in the first place. Sometimes, losing weight is enough to stop those symptoms.
To lose weight, you need to eat right, but you also need to exercise. Muscle contractions during exercise forces glucose into your cells where it is supposed to be, instead of in your blood. That lowers your blood glucose levels and over time you may need to take less insulin. Weight lifting and aerobics are two forms of exercise that can help particularly.
A lot of people who have diabetes have sleep apnea as well, which can be very dangerous. Blood sugar levels are all over the place when someone has apnea, and you can have more complications from diabetes if sleep apnea is something you have. Treating sleep apnea can help you get your sugar levels back under control so that you can manage your diabetes more effectively.
Cut stress out of your life. Stress wreaks havoc on the sugar levels in your blood. You might try breathing exercises, massages or just sitting with some calming music. When you do this, you normalize your glucose levels. Not only that, but stress could be contributing to other health issues you may have. Getting rid of stress could make you healthier in a number of ways.
Get enough rest. People with diabetes who do not get adequate sleep are more likely to have worse diabetes symptoms. To make sure you sleep well, turn off the television about an hour before going to sleep. Don’t have any caffeine or alcohol before you go to sleep.
Some diabetics have been known to reverse their diabetic symptoms by using some of the information laid out here, so get excited! While you may not be able to eliminate all your symptoms as some have, you will feel better and more in control of your diabetes.
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