Archive for the 'Management' Category
Type-1 diabetes sufferers are anything but helpless. In fact, many diabetics derive strength from the knowledge that they can control the disease. Some diabetics prefer to stick to a strictly regimented diet and exercise plan, which help to keep insulin levels around normal. Others choose to implement an insulin pump, which infuses their body with insulin and allows them to monitor their blood sugar.
Using an insulin pump for the first time may seem like a daunting task, but it can quickly become a staple of any diabetic’s daily routine. It’s important to keep in mind that insulin pumps are more expensive to use and replenish than simpler methods of delivery such as syringes. Also, pump users will need to plan ahead so that they can protect their investment from damage during physical activity. Insulin pumps are just one solution to diabetes self management; be sure to explore every possibility before settling on the choice that’s right for you.
Increasingly, articles are appearing in the news about diabetics getting in accidents on the road because of episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), sometimes with tragic results. Although it might not be right to charge those drivers with any type of vehicular crime, diabetics should not get a free pass just because they have this disease. Diabetics have a responsibility not only to themselves but also to those around them to properly monitor and control their blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes really is a controllable situation, and the best way to manage it is with constant blood glucose checks. A type 1 diabetic should check their blood sugar a minimum of 5 times a day, and some DMV codes say diabetics need to check their sugar EVERY time they get behind the wheel.
Blood glucose monitors can deliver a reading in less than 10 seconds. That really is not a long time for a diabetic to wait and see if he/she is in range, and thereby safe to operate a vehicle. No matter how busy someone is with errands, work, school, or life in general they HAVE to take the time to check sugar levels. Regular monitoring can help diabetics better detect glucose trends, react to carb intakes and maintain more consistent glucose levels, thereby minimizing the harmful long-term effects of peaks and valleys in their blood glucose. More importantly, diabetic drivers need to check blood sugars to avoid the potentially disastrous effects of hypoglycemia.
Controlling diabetes with a pump
For people with Type 1 diabetes who depend on daily insulin injections, changing to an insulin pump which delivers a regulated amount of fast-acting insulin might be an alternative they would want to look at for a number of reasons.
Because the pump can be programmed by the user to deliver varying amounts of insulin 24 hours a day, diabetics can more precisely control their insulin intake and quickly adjust for unforeseen adjustments. Users can also temporarily modify their bolus rates to account for a change in their daily habits (vacations, long travel periods, non-routine days).
The pump can be more convenient to use than needles or insulin pens. It is much less conspicuous to deliver a mealtime bolus at the dinner table with a pump than via manual insertion. Dosages can be controlled very tightly and with proper training from a doctor or diabetes educator, it is virtually seamless to set the pump to deliver several units of insulin immediately and then spread out a different dosage over the next 2 hours.
Some diabetics find the pump more comfortable than using syringes. Fewer injections means fewer injection sites. There are multiple injection delivery options, giving the user choices in picking the most comfortable type for them.
Tight blood-sugar control is key in controlling diabetes with a pump. Glucose should be tested at least 5 times a day and the user should be diligent in keeping track of not only the test results but also carbohydrate counts, corrections amounts and exercise.
Consulting with a doctor or diabetes educator is the first step in making the change to using a pump. Training can be extensive but the results can be more than worth the effort.
Diabetics are at risk of cutting back on necessary supplies, medications and check-ups during these tough economic times, putting even more strain on an already taxed health system. A recent AP study found that doctors are reporting more patients skipping regular visits, diabetics cutting back or even eliminating daily testing, and drops in sales of top-selling diabetic drugs.
Even with a good health plan, it can cost upwards of $200 a month to maintain proper control (insulin, test strips, associated medications, office visits) and without insurance that cost can skyrocket to over 5 times that amount.
It’s critical for controlling diabetes to maintain a regular regimen of blood sugar checks; for Type 1 diabetics that means 5-6 tests per day. By not keeping a tighter control on blood sugar levels Type 1 diabetics risk greater chances of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) which will cause long term damage, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) that can have drastic immediate effects by causing dizziness, blurred vision, and unconsciousness.
As tough as it is, diabetics can not afford to spend less on their essentials. They need to talk to their health professional about less expensive alternatives (generics) and learn how to lessen their dependence on medication if possible. By sticking to a better diet, checking blood sugar regularly, and regular exercise diabetics can get better control over their diabetes and ease some of the monetary burden.
If you’ve recently learned that you’re diabetic, it usually doesn’t serve as a shock. Many people suspect that they’re diabetic long before they get the official confirmation from their doctor. But it will still constitute a major life change. For one, you’ll have to be careful about monitoring your blood levels, and this means you’ll have to learn how to prick your own finger and accurately read your levels without the help of a doctor. For some, especially those that are squeamish about blood, this will be a trying part of life as a diabetic.
But like everything else, it will invariably get easier with time. This is also true of the diabetes diet. The biggest element of your diet that you’ll have to monitor is your sugar intake. While you’ll want to limit the sugar present in the foods you eat, it’s actually the drinks that pose the biggest problem. To that end, avoid sugary juices or adding sugar to your morning coffee or tea. The body processes this sugar slightly differently, and it can cause an unnatural spike in your blood levels.
How do I start a diabetes self management regimen? Here are a few tips that will let you lead a good life:
1 Undergo regular checkups to keep your blood sugar levels under control.
2 Stick to a healthy, balanced diet. Diet control is a key factor in controlling diabetes.
3 Do moderate exercise. That itself will help you regain your stamina
4 Make it a point to carry some sweets with you always. Just put some pieces of candy in your pocket. It comes of great use whenever your sugar levels go awry.
5 Keep a check on your weight. Overweight can complicate already existent diabetic symptoms.
6 Educate yourself on all aspects of the disorder. Talk to your healthcare professional and discuss all issues related to diabetes.
So you see, diabetes self management is not the monstrous thing it seems to be! Just take good care of yourself and you can lead a rich life in spite of your diabetes.
Because of modern medical advancements, in addition to diabetes research and increased public awareness, diabetes is a very manageable condition. Diabetics who take care of themselves and work to preserve their health tend to have few reminders that their condition exists at all. The foundation for successful diabetes management is checking blood sugar often, and using insulin in the proper dosages. In addition, eating right can help to regulate diabetes and reduce the chances of a diabetic reaction by a significant amount. Blood sugar tends to dip low for dozens of reasons, for example, a light meal eaten when a regular meal is often eaten can cause blood sugar to plummet. There are simpler reasons as well, excitement, agitation, an irregular amount of exercise, all of these can cause problems if not monitored properly. For this reason, checking blood sugar often is the most essential activity for all diabetics.
Diabetes is a condition that affects millions of people, but with the treatment available and some healthy changes to lifestyle, living with diabetes is no problem at all. Many diabetics can go for years without having a reaction.