Tips to Help You Manage Your Diabetes

Diabetes is a very serious, life-threatening condition that must be managed almost constantly all your life. In fact, you should consider it as a new way to spend the rest of your life. One way to do that is to find tips to help you manage your diabetes, with your doctor's approval, of course. In this article, we provide many tips to help you manage your diabetes

Regardless of how long you have had diabetes, there are always going to be questions that need answers and diabetic supplies and medications that you will need. You will want to keep up with the latest diabetes education, research and tips as there might be something new that you can use.

My mother was diagnosed with diabetes a few years age. She had to give herself insulin shots. Be sure you practice good personal hygiene, paying particular attention to your feet. If you use diabetes foot cream on the bottom of your feet and on your heals, it should help keep them from cracking and becoming sore. Put foot powder between your toes.

Being overweight only added to Mother's health problem. So control your weight and if over weight, get it down.

Do you know anyone that is addicted to sugar? My mother was. Before she was diagnosed with diabetes, I had seen her dip out a spoonful of sugar and eat it like candy. Control your sugar intake. Work with your doctor to keep your blood sugar level where it should be, between 6.5% - 7%.

Go to your pharmacy and use their blood pressure monitor, if you do not have one. No charge to use it. Your blood pressure should be 130/80. If it isn't, discuss it with your doctor.

Mother had worn glasses for many years. She had her eye exam with retina dilation every year. You should do the same and tell your eye doctor you have diabetes.

She enjoyed going barefooted in the house. One day she stumped her right big toe on the leg of her dining room chair. Her entire foot became swollen and it was hard for her to walk. It took a long while for her to get over that. Do not go barefoot in or out of the house. You need to have a pair of well-fitting shoes and wear support, cotton-nylon blend socks with them.

Six years after being diagnosed with diabetes, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. A mastectomy of the left breast did not get all of it. The cancer had gone into the bone. Now, she had a whole new set of heath problems and medications.

To make a long sad story short, she was instructed by her health care provider to take the diabetes medicine in the morning and her cancer medication in the evening and not to take them at the same time. One evening she was extremely tired. She took both medicines at the same time and it cost her - her life. If you take any medication(s) in addition to your diabetes medicine, be sure to follow the directions your doctor gives you explicitly, regardless of how tired you are. It is my opinion that a large poster showing the name of the medicine and the time to take it should have been taped to the cabinet door where the medicine was kept. Or better yet, keep the morning medication in one room (like a bathroom) and the evening medication in another (like the kitchen), far away from each other.

Here are some more tips that may be beneficial in helping you manage your diabetes. Add your own tips to this list.

1. Carry glucose tablets with you at all times 

2. Get a yearly flu shot 

3. Don't smoke 

4. Have your kidney health checked regularly 

5. Stay active- go for walks, even if it is just around the inside of the local mall with a friend 

6, Food labels are important - read them - know the sugar content and other pertinent information

NOTE: Consult your doctor/health care provider FIRST to make sure these tips are for you.

In summary, remember the tips that will help you manage your diabetes. It is recommended to keep in close communication with your health care provider. Make sure their office phone number and 911 are listed in your cell phone and right by your home phone, with easy access to it. Next, make as many copies as you need of this article. Place one in the kitchen, your bedroom, your office or any place where you can refer to it so you won't forget these important tips to help you manage your diabetes. 

Do not forget to pray. God does answer prayer.