When initially diagnosed with diabetes, there are many life changes to be made, instructions to be followed, and new home health care equipment to work out. Giving yourself injections can be traumatic, not to mention having to alter your diet and eating habits. It's overwhelming, but there are steps you can take to make diabetic life a little less stressful.
Don't Panic - Stress is bad for your blood sugar and you'll only make things worse if you panic. Stay calm, be positive and in control.
Get Everything in Writing - Ask your doctor for written instructions on exactly what you need to do to control your diabetes. Include everything from medications to diet, checking your blood sugar at home, and anything else you have to do.
Ask Questions - Don't wait to be given advice - ask!
Follow the Advice of Your Physician - Be sure to take your medicine, go to your appointments, control your blood sugar, and follow the recommendations of your physician, including adding other specialists to your "team." If you have doubts, get a second opinion.
Schedule an Eye Examination - All diabetics are at risk for serious eye problems or even blindness. Immediately make an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist who specializes in treating diabetics.
See a Nutritional Consultant - The right foods are your best medicine. Organize an appointment with a dietician who specializes in diabetics.
Control Your Blood Sugar - Once diagnosed, it is incredibly important that you maintain the blood sugar levels designated by your physician.
Control Your Blood Pressure - High blood pressure can result in devastating complications in diabetics, including heart disease and congestive heart failure.
Check Your Cholesterol - If your cholesterol is elevated, take the recommended measures to get it under control to avoid future problems.
Get A Flu Shot - Diabetes can weaken your immune system, so if your physician recommends it, get influenza, pneumonia, and/or hepatitis B vaccinations.
Lose Weight - Being overweight worsens diabetes and can set off serious complications.
Exercise - Try to get at least thirty minutes of exercise per day. Walking is great exercise and can be lots of fun.
Avoid Too Much Sugar and Carbohydrates - It's hard to give up those tasty treats, but sugar and carbohydrates wreak havoc on your blood sugar levels.
Avoid Alcohol - Abstaining from alcohol will help you keep your blood sugar under better control.
See a Dentist - Diabetics are susceptible to gum disease. Brush and floss regularly and make an appointment with your dentist, making sure to inform them you are diabetic.
Check Your Feet - Diabetes can cause damage of the nerves in your feet and make it more difficult for sores to heal. Check your feet daily for discomfort, pain, redness, sores, cracking or numbness.
Quit Smoking - Diabetics who smoke run an even greater risk of serious complications.
Take a Class and Join a Support Group - If your local hospital or medical care center has a class or support group for diabetics, join in! You can gain advantage from the experiences of other people, just like they'll benefit from yours.
Hang in there! If you're determined to manage your diabetes, the diabetic lifestyle will get easier. After a while|, it will become second nature and you won't even have to think about it.
U.S. judge orders five Algerians at Guantanamo freed (Reuters) Reuters - Five of six Algerians held nearly seven years at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba must be released, a federal judge ruled on Thursday in a setback for the Bush administration. Publ.Date : Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:59:44 GMT Lawmakers fault Treasury, Fed on bailout (Reuters) Reuters - Exasperated U.S. lawmakers criticized Federal Reserve and Treasury Department efforts to shore up the faltering economy on Thursday, telling officials that their financial rescue efforts have not reached small businesses or homeowners. Publ.Date : Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:12:59 GMT Somali pirates demand 25 million dollars for Saudi oil tanker (AFP) AFP - Somali pirates who hijacked a Saudi oil super-tanker demanded a 25 million dollar ransom Thursday amid calls for tougher action to end threats to one of the world's key maritime routes. Publ.Date : Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:27:05 GMT Congress extends jobless benefits, stocks sink (AP) AP - Jarred by new jobless alarms, Congress raced to approve legislation Thursday to keep unemployment checks flowing through the December holidays and into the new year for a million or more laid-off Americans whose benefits are running out. Publ.Date : Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:05:40 GMT
