Alcoholic drinks have a high amount of sugar and can cause the blood sugar level to hike if consumed carelessly. So, if you are a diabetic, ensure that you drink alcohol in moderation.
Diabetes Care: Ways to Avoid Complications
Diabetes is a serious health condition. With proper care severe health complications can be averted. High blood sugar levels can worsen existing health concerns and create complications that can be hard to deal with. So, it is essential to take preventative measures so that these complications can be prevented.
How to Avoid Complications Related to Diabetes?
Eat Healthy
Choosing your food wisely with moderate portions of whole grains, lentils, fruits and adequate vegetables, low fat dairy and lean meat will go a long way in keeping your blood glucose under control. Talk to our dietitians on what your portion sizes should be as ths would vary from person to person.
Be Active
A workout routine or staying physically active can reduce the risk of severe health conditions due to diabetes. Just take half an hour out of your daily routine to do physical exercises such as cycling, walking, jogging, etc. These exercises help in regulating blood pressure, lowering your risk of diabetic-related health conditions, heart risk, and more. Moreover, try to be active throughout the day by doing multiple tasks that require walking, bending, stretching, climbing stairs etc
Quit Smoking
We have all heard the phrase ‘Smoking is injurious to health’. But it is even more dangerous for people who are suffering from diabetes. It can reduce the flow of blood in the feet and legs, which can cause ulcers in those body parts. For people suffering from Type 2 Diabetes, smoking can become a significant reason for stroke, premature death, disease related to the heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and more.
Alcohol Consumption in Moderation
Schedule Regular Follow Ups
It is very important for a person who has diabetes to check their blood sugar level regularly before and after meals to monitor if they have their sugar level under control. If not, they may encounter serious health conditions, and their medications may also require a change.
Annual Eye Exam
Diabetes, as discussed, has many other implications on various parts of the body. Besides insulin fluctuation and a hike in blood sugar levels, it can also cause damage to nerves and blood vessels in the body, especially of the eyes. So, before any serious symptoms arise, it is recommended that if you have diabetes, get an eye check-up done regularly with your doctor to avoid consequences. If you encounter blurry vision, straining on eyes, or any other eye-related issues, it is a possibility that they are arising because of high blood sugar levels.
Teeth Check Up
Like diabetes has a negative impact on the eyes, it also has significant implications related to your teeth. People suffering from diabetes become more prone to gum infections. So, make sure that you visit your dentist regularly to ensure that your dental condition is up to the mark. Try to maintain an at-home dental routine that includes brushing twice a day, flossing, using a tongue cleaner, using toothpaste with fluoride in it, and more.
Take Care of Your Feet
Diabetes can reduce the flow of blood in the nerves that lead to the feet. This can cause blisters and other infections of the feet. It can also lead to pain in the feet or loss of sensation in your feet. So, if you want to steer away from various problems related to your feet, then you need to take some steps to keep them healthy. Try to keep your feet moisturized. Dry skin on the feet can cause cuts and blisters. Keep your feet moisturized with petroleum jelly or lightweight moisturizer. Do not keep your feet wet for long. Make sure they are dry at all times, especially the area between the toes, because that is more prone to encounter cuts.
If you find that there is any redness or a blister or sores on your feet, immediately check with your doctor to avoid worse outcomes.
Don’t Let Stress Take Over
Stress can also have a major impact on diabetics. It can cause your blood sugar level to increase. Try to deal with stress with relaxation exercises such as yoga, meditation, breathing practice, and more.
Blood Pressure Check
Diabetes causes blood sugar levels to fluctuate. High blood sugar levels can have a negative effect on blood vessels and nerves. Similarly, high blood pressure can have a severe impact on the blood vessels. So, it is vital to keep a check on blood pressure because the hike in both the blood pressure and sugar levels can lead to life-threatening conditions such as heart attack, stroke, etc. Thus, it is advisable for patients suffering from diabetes to keep their cholesterol levels in check because they can cause high blood pressure. If these conditions team up, the damage to the body can be rapid and worse.
Vaccinations
Diabetes can make you more prone to getting ill than others. So, it is crucial that you keep your vaccinations up to date so that you can stay away from serious illnesses. Some of the vaccinations that you can check with your doctor about include flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, Hepatitis vaccination, and more.
The Bottom Line
If you are careful with your diabetic state, these complications may not arise, or even if they do, you can deal with them with more caution quickly. It is best to keep in check with a professional consultant to understand your health condition when it comes to diabetes on a regular basis. To get a proper consultation for diabetes, you can download the Diahome application on your smartphone. A professional consultant will connect with you through your phone to advise you better. You can also get tips related to your diet and nutrition for diabetes and plan meals accordingly. Diahome also offers a blood sugar testing facility in the comfort of your home.
Authors:
Mrs.Sripriya Ravi, M.Sc, Senior Dietitian
Mrs. Indumathi, B.Sc., Post Graduation, Dietitian