Living Successfully with Diabetes

Managing your diabetes is a combination of learning how to eat well, monitoring the level of your blood sugar, and exercising daily. It is important for you to fully understand how the disease operates within your body so you can be prepared for any possibilities that may arise.

Managing diabetes is a combination of learning how to eat well, monitor your glucose level, and exercise daily. It is important to fully understand how the disease operates within your body so that you can be prepared for any possibility that may arise. Knowing the disease means that you can better manage the disease. Your doctor will give you information about diabetes and there are also many helpful Websites and books that you can find information about managing your diabetes.

A proper diet is necessary because it is the diet that determines how much blood glucose you bring into your body. A healthy diet can help you to control your weight. Your doctor can advise you on the types of food you should eat.

Regular exercise is an important tool in healthy diabetes management. Exercise helps your diabetes by controlling your weight and lowering your blood sugar level. Exercise can also help you to feel better and increase your overall health.

When exercising go slowly and gradually increase the intensity of your exercise routine.

Exercise changes the way your body reacts to insulin. It makes your body more sensitive to insulin, and your blood sugar level may get too low during exercise (hypoglycemia). You should check your blood sugar level after you are finished exercising. It is especially important to check your blood levels if you are exercising in extremely hot or cold conditions. Temperature changes how your body absorbs insulin.                             

If you feel shaky, anxious, suddenly sweaty, hungry or if you feel a change in your heartbeat it is important to stop your exercising and check your blood sugar level. It is important to keep candy or juice on hand in case you need to treat hypoglycemia.