Info about Diabetes
How To Manage Diabetes At Home
Diabetes is a life changing medical condition. Diabetes is a condition wherein the sugar levels in the blood goes beyond normal. Hyperglycemia is the medical term for the occurrence. In a normal person, hyperglycemia does not take place because the pancreas produces adequate amounts of insulin. Insulin moves glucose or sugar from the blood into the fat cells, muscles, and liver. By transporting the glucose from the blood to the other areas in the body, the blood glucose levels remain normal. Unfortunately, in the case of diabetes there is little or no production of insulin. The lack of insulin keeps the glucose in the blood thus resulting to a rise in blood sugar levels.
If you are diabetic, keeping your blood sugar levels within normal range is the main goal. Failure to do so can result to coma and even death. During hospitalization, medical practitioners draw up a plan that will help you control your glucose levels at home. This plan usually has five parts.
• Education
For you to be able to understand the gravity of your situation you need to understand diabetes first. For you to be educated, your nurse or physician will conduct a health teaching session. Health teaching sessions can take place days before you get out of the hospital or during regular checkups with your physician.
• Nutritional Management
Just because you are diabetic does not mean you cannot eat anything at all. You can still eat your favorite dishes, but unlike before, the portions are smaller and regulated. It is important to control what you eat because if you eat more than what you should you might end up with very high sugar levels. If you need advice on nutrition, you can always consult a dietician and have him or her draw up a meal plan for you.
• Medication
Your medicines are important. These medicines will help keep your blood glucose levels in check. Do not forget to take your medications everyday as per doctor’s instruction. There are two ways to administer your medications, one is by mouth and another is through injection. If you administer your medication through injection, you need to follow the instructions carefully because a slight mistake can render this medication useless. The same thing goes when you take your medications orally.
• Blood Glucose Monitoring
Blood glucose monitoring is important because this will help determine whether you are able to manage your diabetes properly or not. At home, you can monitor your blood glucose levels using a glucometer. This is a specialized instrument designed to measure capillary blood glucose. For accurate results, measure your blood glucose first thing in the morning. Do not eat anything first.
• Physical Activity or Exercise
Exercise is important. Exercise does not only help tone the muscles and keep you in shape but it helps in the transportation of blood glucose from the blood to your muscles. The more you exercise the more glucose you utilize thus keeping your blood sugar levels within normal limits.
As mentioned, diabetes is indeed a life changing medical condition. When you have diabetes, you need to modify everything from your diet down to your day-to-day activities. If are a diabetic it is important that you stay vigilant when it comes to controlling your blood sugar.