As your personal nurse, Navi Nurses will give you all the tools you need to succeed. A diagnosis of diabetes can be overwhelming and seem difficult to deal with. To help ease your mind and reduce some of your stress, we made a list of tips and advice to assist you in being prepared.
Tip 1: Take Your Insulin And Stick To A Schedule
Taking insulin at the regular times is the key to your success with diabetes. To remain healthy you must avoid blood sugars that are too high or too low. We recommend the following:
- Take your insulin with meals.
- Give yourself the amount prescribed by your doctor.
- Pay attention to your body and how you feel. If your blood sugar is crashing you will start to sweat, feel weak and light-headed. If it’s too high, you will feel grouchy, thirsty, and tired.
- Make sure you always use the right type of insulin and understand how your insulin works. Carefully follow your doctors directions for using short-acting and long-acting insulin.
These steps are key to being prepared to manage your diabetes.
Tip 2: If You Have High Blood Sugar
High blood sugar can cause problems such as moodiness, frequent urges to go to the bathroom, and constant thirst. Unchecked, it can lead to serious problems such as nausea, vomiting, and even a coma. If you closely monitor your blood sugar, you can avoid most of these issues.
If you do have bouts of high blood sugar, it is important to review what you are eating and your insulin doses. Reduce the amount of sugar in your meals and make sure your taking the correct amount of insulin. Check to see if you are following your doctor’s plan. If you are following your doctor’s advice and still have high blood sugar make sure you bring it to their attention, they may need to adjust your treatment. You are the most important person in your health don’t be afraid to talk openly with your doctor.
Tip 3: If You Have Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar can happen because of what you eat and when you take your insulin. It can cause you to feel weak, to be tired, and feel light-headed. If it’s not taken care of it can lead to fainting and possible coma.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to help combat low blood sugar. One of the easiest ways is to have a piece of candy or juice with you at all times. When you feel your blood sugar dropping, you can drink juice or eat candy. This will help your blood sugar rebound quickly, give you time to recheck your blood sugar, and find something to eat that takes longer to digest. Foods that take longer to digest helps to prevent fluctuating blood sugars.
If you have a history of your blood sugar dropping dangerously low, make sure you have a glucagon pen with you. This is a shot of concentrated sugar that will help bring your blood sugar back to normal levels. If you are a type 1 diabetic, a glucagon pen is very important to always have with you.
Tip 4: Being Prepared Through Healthy Living
One of the best ways to prevent issues caused by diabetes is by living a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you eat nutritious foods and take time to exercise. This gives your body the best chance to regulate your blood sugar. Here are a few tips:
- Avoid foods high in fat, sugar, and salt.
- Keep your kitchen stocked with vegetables and protein.
- Exercise regularly.
It is important to check your blood sugar before, during, and after your workout. Being prepared by keeping an eye on your blood sugar levels will help prevent sudden drops. Exercise burns carbs (bread, fruit, chips, rice, pasta) at a quicker rate than normal activity, which helps to maintain a stable blood sugar.
Life Can Be Lived to the Fullest
You can live a great life with diabetes. By being prepared to take on any challenge this condition may throw at you, you are ensuring a healthy life for yourself. Yes, it can be difficult to always check your blood sugar and deal with the highs and lows. But by following these tips and finding support in others who have diabetes, you will be successful. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes and need help, Navi Nurses is always here for you.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, June 15). Diabetes Basics. Retrieved June 22, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/index.html
- Mayo Clinic. (2020, June 26). Diabetic coma. Retrieved June 22, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-coma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371479
- Kran, B. (2020, March 29). Type 1 diabetes diet. Retrieved June 22, 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/health/type-1-diabetes-diet
- Campbell, A. (2019, August 21). Living with diabetes: Four tips to get you started. Retrieved June 22, 2021, from https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/about-diabetes/diabetes-basics/living-with-type-1-diabetes-four-tips-to-get-you-started/
