When it comes to staying healthy, doctors of people with diabetes will repeatedly tell them that health is a numbers game; there are certain numbers that all healthy people should remember. Newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetics must change parts of their diabetes lifestyle to control their blood sugar and get better. Here are some tips to help you keep an eye on your overall health - while sticking with the numbers.
[1] 5 Fruits and Veggies
Everyone should remember to eat a total of five fruits and veggies each day. You can mix and match your fruits as much as Vegetable Tray you like as long as you reach five by the end of the day. Having a hard time making sure you get your five in? Here are some ways you can sneak in an extra serving or two:
• Add a small handful or raisins or banana to your cereal in the morning. • Drink a smoothie instead of a soda (for as many as four fruits and veggies).
• Slice a tomato on top of your turkey sandwich.
• Stir mushrooms and onions into your breakfast omelet. • Reach for an apple rather than a granola bar for your afternoon diabetics snacks.
• Have a glass of 100% fruit juice before work or after a workout.
• Keep dried fruit and sugar free cookies in your desk or car to satisfy that mid-day sweet tooth.
[2] Hours of Sleep
Studies prove time and again that every needs about eight hours of sleep each night. However, most people do not allow themselves the luxury of the full recommended dosage of R & R. By going to bed at a reasonable hour (when you are tired) and sleeping a full eight hours, your body will feel rested, restored, and will ultimately function at a higher level than if it were deprived of sleep.
If you are having difficulty sleeping, take a look at your overall stress level, diet, exercise routine, use incontinence products, and sleeping habits. Small changes can lead to big results. Speak to your doctor if you have trouble sleeping for a prolonged amount of time.
[3] 30 Minutes of Exercise with diabetic shoes
Peripheral Neuropathy is one of the common side effects of diabetes, which can cause insensitivity, or a loss of sensation in the extremities to feel pain, heat, and cold in a diabetic person. It is very important for a diabetic person to take care of foot related injuries and wear specially designed shoes for diabetics, diabetic socks for men and diabetic socks women.
Whether you are Diabetic or not, it is important to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. These 30 minutes does Seniors Walking not have to occur at the same time? Often, busy people may only be able to sneak in 15 minutes walks with specially designed diabetics shoes here or there. However, it is important that you set aside enough time each day to get your heart rate up, your blood pumping, and your muscles moving.
Having a hard time sneaking in 30 minutes? Here are some quick tips that everyone can do:
• Take two 15 minute walks (15 minutes is roughly one mile).
• Clean the house vigorously (try to work up a sweat).
• Do floor exercises by wearing men's and women's diabetic dress shoes for 10 minutes three times a day (sit-ups, push-ups, calf raises, stair climbing). • Walk during lunch or walk to lunch.
• Take a bike to visit a friend or run to the store rather than a car.
• Make exercise a family event by taking the kids to the park, a walking trail, gym, or track.
[4] 8 Glasses of Water
In order for your body to function properly, your organs need to be well-hydrated. Research shows that in order to maintain hydration, people should drink anywhere from three to eight glasses of water each day. Water can be flavored water, including some juices, as well. Also, may fruits and veggies contain large amounts of water that can help the body stay hydrated.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Tips for Traveling with Diabetes Medicines
Insulin needlesInsulin needles
People with diabetes, going on vacations or traveling for business purpose requires extra planning for diabetes medications. Changes in meal patterns, activity levels, and time zones can affect your blood sugar levels.
It's nearly summer, time for a trip to the beach, the mountains, or beyond. Wherever you're vacationing, some advance planning will help ensure you have a healthy trip. Before you travel, here is what to do:
1. Prepare your paperwork
Before you hit the road, gets a letter from your doctor explaining how you take care of your diabetes. If you use insulin or any other medications or lancing devices, it should list them. In case of emergency, you should also have a prescription for insulin or oral medication.
Are you traveling outside the U.S.? Be aware that prescription laws may be different in other countries than they are in the U.S. You can get a list of International Diabetes Federation groups from www.idf.org.You may also want to get a list of English-speaking doctors in the country or countries you plan to visit. Contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers at www.iamat.org.
2. Pack smart
Pack at least twice as much medication and glucose-testing equipment (diabetes test strips, glucose test meters, body fat weight scale and monitors etc) as you expect to need. Have a carry-on bag with you at all times that contain:
• Your insulin and testing supplies • Extra batteries for your diabetic glucose meter • All oral medications • Your ID and diabetes identity card • An air-tight snack pack of crackers or cheese, peanut butter, fruit, a juice box, and hard candy or glucose tablets
3. Get ready to eat
When flying, you can request a special meal or diabetic diet meals; check with your airlines to find out how much in advance you need to do this. If you use insulin, wait until you see your diabetic meals coming before you give yourself an injection so a delay doesn't result in low blood sugar. To be safe, always carry some food with you.
4. Store insulin and insulin needles properly
Think about where you'll store your insulin. It doesn't have to be refrigerated, but storing it somewhere hot, such as in the glove compartment, or somewhere very cold, on ice, for example, can cause it to lose strength. Look for a travel pack that keeps insulin cool.
5. Plan for time zone changes
If you use insulin and plan to travel to another time zone, consult with your doctor or diabetes educator before you leave. If you're heading east, you'll have a shorter day, meaning you may need less insulin; if you go west, the longer day may mean you'll need more insulin.
6. Allow time to rest
When you reach your destination, especially if you've had a long trip, take it easy for a few days. Check your blood sugar often with blood sugar monitors. When you're out seeing the sights, wear comfortable diabetics shoes and don't go barefoot. Check your feet daily for blisters, scratches, or redness, and seek medical care at the first sign of any of these.
Make taking care of your diabetes a priority on your travels and you'll be rewarded with a fun and healthy vacation. Bon voyage!
Typefreediabetes offers a full line of diabetic testing supplies, including; incontinence protection, women's diabetic socks, blood glucose monitors, durable diabetes medical equipment, accu-chek active test strips and many other home health care products and supplies. Typefreediabetes offers quality products at discounted prices on a wide selection of quality name brand equipment and supplies.
People with diabetes, going on vacations or traveling for business purpose requires extra planning for diabetes medications. Changes in meal patterns, activity levels, and time zones can affect your blood sugar levels.
It's nearly summer, time for a trip to the beach, the mountains, or beyond. Wherever you're vacationing, some advance planning will help ensure you have a healthy trip. Before you travel, here is what to do:
1. Prepare your paperwork
Before you hit the road, gets a letter from your doctor explaining how you take care of your diabetes. If you use insulin or any other medications or lancing devices, it should list them. In case of emergency, you should also have a prescription for insulin or oral medication.
Are you traveling outside the U.S.? Be aware that prescription laws may be different in other countries than they are in the U.S. You can get a list of International Diabetes Federation groups from www.idf.org.You may also want to get a list of English-speaking doctors in the country or countries you plan to visit. Contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers at www.iamat.org.
2. Pack smart
Pack at least twice as much medication and glucose-testing equipment (diabetes test strips, glucose test meters, body fat weight scale and monitors etc) as you expect to need. Have a carry-on bag with you at all times that contain:
• Your insulin and testing supplies • Extra batteries for your diabetic glucose meter • All oral medications • Your ID and diabetes identity card • An air-tight snack pack of crackers or cheese, peanut butter, fruit, a juice box, and hard candy or glucose tablets
3. Get ready to eat
When flying, you can request a special meal or diabetic diet meals; check with your airlines to find out how much in advance you need to do this. If you use insulin, wait until you see your diabetic meals coming before you give yourself an injection so a delay doesn't result in low blood sugar. To be safe, always carry some food with you.
4. Store insulin and insulin needles properly
Think about where you'll store your insulin. It doesn't have to be refrigerated, but storing it somewhere hot, such as in the glove compartment, or somewhere very cold, on ice, for example, can cause it to lose strength. Look for a travel pack that keeps insulin cool.
5. Plan for time zone changes
If you use insulin and plan to travel to another time zone, consult with your doctor or diabetes educator before you leave. If you're heading east, you'll have a shorter day, meaning you may need less insulin; if you go west, the longer day may mean you'll need more insulin.
6. Allow time to rest
When you reach your destination, especially if you've had a long trip, take it easy for a few days. Check your blood sugar often with blood sugar monitors. When you're out seeing the sights, wear comfortable diabetics shoes and don't go barefoot. Check your feet daily for blisters, scratches, or redness, and seek medical care at the first sign of any of these.
Make taking care of your diabetes a priority on your travels and you'll be rewarded with a fun and healthy vacation. Bon voyage!
Typefreediabetes offers a full line of diabetic testing supplies, including; incontinence protection, women's diabetic socks, blood glucose monitors, durable diabetes medical equipment, accu-chek active test strips and many other home health care products and supplies. Typefreediabetes offers quality products at discounted prices on a wide selection of quality name brand equipment and supplies.
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