Diabetes Care | Diabetes Healthy Solutions

How is Diabetes Managed?

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by high blood sugar levels due to either the body’s inability to produce insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or the body’s inability to use insulin effectively (Type 2 diabetes). Proper management of diabetes is crucial to prevent complications and maintain a healthy lifestyle. In this article, we will explore the key aspects of how diabetes is managed.

Medical Care and Monitoring:

Diabetes management begins with regular medical care and monitoring. If you are diabetic, you will need to work closely with healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and dietitians, to develop a management plan, personalized to your specific needs.

Regular check-ups, blood tests, and monitoring of blood sugar levels are essential to assess the effectiveness of the management strategies and make necessary adjustments.

Healthy Eating:

A balanced and healthy diet plays a crucial role in managing diabetes. The primary goal is to regulate blood sugar levels by controlling the intake of carbohydrates. Individuals with diabetes should focus on consuming whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Portion control is vital to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels. Monitoring carbohydrate intake through carbohydrate counting or the glycemic index can be helpful. Consulting a registered dietitian can provide personalized dietary guidance.

Regular Physical Activity is a Must:

Physical activity is essential for managing diabetes. Engaging in regular exercise helps lower blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and maintain a healthy weight.

Aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling, along with strength training, are recommended. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting an exercise regimen to determine the appropriate intensity and duration based on individual health conditions.

Medications and Insulin Therapy:

In Type 1 diabetes, insulin therapy is necessary as the body does not produce insulin. In Type 2 diabetes, oral medications, non-insulin injectables, or insulin may be prescribed, depending on the severity and progression of the disease.

It is crucial to take medications as prescribed and monitor their effectiveness. Regular communication with healthcare providers is essential to discuss any changes in medication or insulin dosage requirements.

Blood Sugar Monitoring:

Self-monitoring of blood glucose levels is a vital aspect of diabetes management. Blood glucose meters allow individuals to check their blood sugar levels at home.

Regular monitoring helps us understand how various factors, such as food, physical activity, stress, and medication, affect blood sugar levels. It provides valuable information for making adjustments to diet, exercise, and medication as needed.

Stress Management and Emotional Well-being:

Stress can significantly impact blood sugar levels in diabetics. Learning effective stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in hobbies can help maintain emotional well-being and prevent spikes in blood sugar. Support from family, friends, or diabetes support groups can provide a valuable network to share experiences and seek emotional support.

Education and Self-Care:

Diabetes education plays a crucial role in effective self-care. Understanding the disease, its management strategies and the importance of lifestyle modifications empowers individuals to take control of their health.

Learning how to recognize and manage hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) is vital for preventing complications.

Diabetes self-management programs and resources provided by healthcare professionals can equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed for successful diabetes management.

In conclusion:

Managing diabetes requires a holistic approach that includes medical care, healthy eating, regular physical activity, medications or insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, stress management, and education.

By adopting these strategies and working closely with your healthcare team, diabetics can lead fulfilling lives while effectively managing their condition. Remember, diabetes management is a lifelong journey, and each person’s plan may differ, so it’s crucial to personalize the management approach in collaboration with healthcare providers.

Read about how Concord Hospital Leveraged CPOE to Improve Diabetes Care Processes HERE!

Some Useful Diabetes Control Tips

Managing diabetes is a continuous challenge that requires constant attention and effort. With proper management and care, people living with diabetes can lead healthy and productive lives. We will share some useful diabetes control tips to help you manage your diabetes.

Understanding Diabetes

Before we dive into the tips, it is essential to have a basic understanding of what diabetes is. Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes can often be managed with lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise. In some cases, medication may be necessary to control blood sugar levels.

Now that we have a basic understanding of diabetes let’s dive into some useful tips for controlling it.

Tip #1: Monitor Blood Sugar Levels

One of the most crucial aspects of diabetes management is monitoring blood sugar levels. Regularly checking your blood sugar levels can help you identify trends and patterns that can affect your diabetes management. You can monitor your blood sugar levels at home using a glucometer. Your healthcare provider can recommend how often you should check your blood sugar levels based on your diabetes management plan.

What’s the best treatment for low blood sugar? Find out here!

Tip #2: Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating a healthy diet is essential for people living with diabetes. A healthy diet can help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels and prevent complications associated with diabetes. A healthy diet should consist of whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and foods high in saturated and trans fats.

Tip #3: Stay Active

Exercise can help lower blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and maintain a healthy weight. Regular exercise can also help reduce the risk of heart disease, which is a common complication of diabetes. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting an exercise routine, especially if you have any diabetes-related complications.

The importance of exercise for diabetes – read more about it here!

Tip #4: Take Medications as Prescribed

If your healthcare provider has prescribed medication to manage your diabetes, it is essential to take them as prescribed. Taking your medications regularly and on time can help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels and prevent complications associated with diabetes.

Tip #5: Manage Stress

Stress can affect blood sugar levels, making it difficult to manage diabetes. Managing stress is essential for people living with diabetes. There are several ways to manage stress, including exercise, meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness.

Tip #6: Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is essential for people living with diabetes. Lack of sleep can affect blood sugar levels, making it difficult to manage diabetes. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night.

Tip #7: Quit Smoking

Smoking can increase the risk of complications associated with diabetes, including heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage. Quitting smoking can improve blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications associated with diabetes.

Tip #8: Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water is essential for people living with diabetes. Dehydration can affect blood sugar levels, making it difficult to manage diabetes. Aim for 8-10 glasses of water per day.

Tip #9: Keep Good Records

Keeping track of your diabetes records is an important part of managing your condition. It can help you and your healthcare team make informed decisions about your treatment plan and identify any patterns or trends in your blood sugar levels.

Here are some tips for keeping diabetes records:

Blood sugar readings: Record your blood sugar readings in a logbook or on a digital app. Include the date, time, and reading (in mg/dL or mmol/L). You may also want to note any factors that may have affected your blood sugar level, such as food, exercise, medication, or stress.
Medications: Keep track of the medications you are taking, including the name, dosage, and frequency. This can help you remember when to take your medications and ensure that you are taking them as prescribed.
Food intake: Keeping a food diary can help you track what you eat and how it affects your blood sugar levels. Note the type of food, portion size, and the time you ate it.
Exercise: Record your physical activity, including the type, duration, and intensity. This can help you see how exercise affects your blood sugar levels and make adjustments to your medication or food intake accordingly.
Symptoms: Note any symptoms you experience, such as fatigue, blurred vision, or increased thirst. This can help you identify patterns and potential complications of your diabetes.
Appointments: Keep track of your appointments with your healthcare team, including your doctor, diabetes educator, and other specialists.
Goals: Write down your diabetes goals and track your progress towards achieving them. This can help you stay motivated and focused on your health.

Remember to bring your diabetes records to your healthcare appointments, so you can discuss your progress with your healthcare team. By keeping accurate records, you can take an active role in managing your diabetes and improve your overall health.

Diabetes and Blindness: Understanding the Link and Preventative Measures

Post updated: 6th May 2023

Diabetes damages the body’s small blood vessels. Diabetic blindness occurs when the blood vessels in the retina are damaged due to high blood sugar. The retina is the part of the eye responsible for sending images to the brain. You can lower your risk of diabetic retinopathy by keeping your blood sugar levels within your target range.

It is essential to keep in mind that diabetic retinopathy can cause poor vision or even blindness. However, it often gets worse over several years.

The small blood vessels of the eye get weak at first and this leads to blood seeping into the retina. This is known as nonproliferative retinopathy and is the most common form of retinopathy.

If your blood sugar stays high, retinopathy keeps getting worse. Moreover, new blood vessels growing in the retina will be weak and can easily break open. Once they break open, fluid leaks into the middle of the eye just in front of the retina and alter your vision.

Bleeding can also lead to the formation of scar tissue. Scar tissue in the eye can pull on your retina and cause it to move from the wall of your eye. This is known as retinal detachment. Some people with proliferative retinopathy may have no symptoms at all until it is too late for effective treatment. That’s why it’s very important to have regular eye exams.

Diabetic retinopathy can also lead to swelling of the macula of your eye (macular edema). When this happens, it can worsen your vision and even lead to blindness.

Diabetic retinopathy risk factors

Anyone with diabetes (type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes) can develop eye complications, including diabetic retinopathy. Having uncontrolled diabetes for long increases your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Other factors that increase your risk include:

Poor control of blood sugar levels
Tobacco use
Pregnancy
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Being Black, Native American, or Hispanic

Types of diabetic retinopathy

There are two main stages of diabetic retinopathy:

1. Early diabetic retinopathy (non-proliferative)

Early-stage retinopathy occurs when the small blood vessels in the retina weaken and form tiny pockets. While you may not be able to detect the tiny pouches, your eye doctor can. These tiny pockets can leak fluid, which can cause the macula in the retina to swell (macular edema), leading to vision distortion.

Macular edema is the leading cause of vision loss in people with diabetes. About 50% of diabetes patients with retinopathy develop macular edema at some point.

2. Advanced diabetic retinopathy (proliferative)

New blood vessels begin to grow in the retina but these vessels are often weak and leak blood and other fluids into the vitreous (the gel between the retina and the lens). Minor bleeding may cause you to see dark spots floating in your vision. However, if the bleeding increases you may go blind.

The symptoms of diabetic retinopathy can be noticed in the early stage. This is the main reason why you should undergo annual eye exams to catch any problems early enough when treatment is most effective.

Advanced-stage symptoms can include:

Floaters (dark shapes or spots in your vision)
Blurry vision
Trouble seeing colors
Empty or dark spots in your vision
Blindness (vision loss)

Complications

Complications of diabetic retinopathy (growth of weak small blood vessels in the retina):

1. Vitreous hemorrhage

The new small blood vessels bleed into the jellylike substance filling the center of the eye. A small amount of bleeding might only lead to a few small floaters (dark spots). However, in severe cases, fluid fills the vitreous cavity, leading to blindness (complete loss of vision).

Vitreous damage does not cause permanent blindness by itself. The fluid (including blood) clears from your eyes within a few days, weeks, or months. If your retina is not damaged, your vision will return to its previous state.

2. Retinal detachment

The weak small blood vessels associated with retinopathy can stimulate the development of scar tissue, which pulls the retina further away from the back of your eye. This often causes flashes of light, floaters in your vision, or even blindness (severe vision loss).

3. Glaucoma

New small blood vessels can develop in the iris (the front part of the eye) and obstruct the normal flow of blood and other fluid out of your eye, causing a build-up of pressure in the eye. This pressure damages the optic nerve (the nerve responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain).

4. Blindness

Glaucoma, macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, or a combination of these eye conditions can cause diabetes blindness, especially if they are poorly managed.

Prevention

While diabetic retinopathy can’t always be prevented, good management of your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, regular eye exams, and early detection and intervention can help prevent blindness.

If you have diabetes, you can reduce the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy by taking the following measures:

· Controlling your diabetes

Make physical activity and healthy eating part of your routine. It is recommended that you get 20 – 30 minutes of aerobic activity, such as swimming or walking, each day. Take insulin or medications as directed by your physician.

· Keep track of your blood sugar levels

Monitor and record your blood sugar levels as directed. You may need to do this several times a day if you are stressed or ill.

· Ask your doctor about a hemoglobin A1C test

A hemoglobin A1C test, or glycosylated hemoglobin test, indicates your average blood sugar for the last 2 -3 months before the test. The goal for most diabetes patients is to be 7%.

· If you use tobacco, try to quit

Tobacco use increases your risk of diabetes complications, such as diabetic retinopathy.

· Keep your cholesterol and blood pressure under control

Exercising regularly, losing excess weight, and eating well can help. Some people with diabetes may also need medication.

· Pay attention to changes in your vision

Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any sudden changes in your vision or if it becomes hazy, spotty, or blurry.

Keep in mind that diabetes does not necessarily lead to blindness. Proper diabetes management can help prevent or delay complications.

6 Tips for Diabetes Foot Care

What is proper foot care for diabetics?

People with diabetes are more likely to suffer from neuropathy and other foot problems as a result of nerve damage and reduced blood flow to the feet. Small sores and cuts may also take longer to heal. The biggest risk is infection when germs get into cracks or cuts.

Poor foot care with diabetes can lead to foot or leg amputation. Therefore, if you have an infection, it is essential to seek medical attention right away to keep it from spreading and causing other complications.

According to the ADA (American Diabetes Association), 1 in 5 diabetes patients seek medical care due to foot problems. Fortunately, you can avoid foot problems by keeping your blood glucose levels within the recommended range.

Here are some preventive measures diabetes patients can take to keep their feet healthy:

1. Wash your feet daily and keep them dry

Make it a daily ritual to wash your feet in warm water using mild soap to ensure that areas that are prone to infection remain clean and free of debris and dirt. Avoid using hot water and soaking your feet for too long as this could easily damage your skin. Use a sponge or soft cloth to wash your feet and dry them thoroughly after your foot bath.

Remember not to leave any moisture between the toes as this could break down the skin or cause fungus to grow leading to infection. Apply moisture to any cracked areas and away from your toes to avoid infection. Apply non-medicated powder before wearing socks and shoes to keep your feet dry.

In winter, central heating can help keep your feet dry and warm. Be sure to wear socks in cold weather or whenever your feet get cold.

2. Check your feet regularly

Doctors recommend checking the bottoms and tops of your feet daily. You can request someone else to do it or use a mirror if you can’t see them. Look carefully in good light so you can see problems such as cracked skin on the heels, toes, and feet.

Check your heels, feet and toes for cuts, blisters, scrapes, bruises, scratches, and other sores. Look between the toes for fungus and cuts that may cause infections or athlete’s foot.

Check for tenderness, redness, increased warmth, corns, calluses, and ingrown toe nails. Avoid “popping” blisters caused by your shoes. Put bandages over them and wear comfortable shoes.

3. Diabetic toenails – take care of your toes

Trim your toenails after washing your feet, when they have been softened by water. Avoid cutting deep into the corners of your toes and use a nail file to smooth them. Check for any corners growing into the skin as this could potentially lead to ingrown toenails.

You may want a foot doctor (podiatrist) or nail technician to trim your toenails for you. If you visit a nail salon for pedicures, bring your own tools. Avoid cutting cuticles and don’t use sharp tools to remove calluses or to clean under the toenails. This will help you prevent accidental cuts that could lead to infection. A pumice stone is great for smoothing the heels after washing your feet or taking a bath or shower. Be sure to rub gently to prevent injuries.

4. Be careful when working out

It is essential to work out regularly to maintain healthy blood flow. Workout for at least 30 minutes daily and be sure to do it in fitting, comfortable shoes.

Ask your physician what type of physical activities you should engage in if you have open injuries on your feet.

5. Avoid going barefoot

Don’t go only in socks or barefoot to avoid stepping on tacks, rocks, and other objects that could injure your feet. Protect your feet with hard-soled slippers, shoes, or similar footwear. Always protect your feet from moisture and cold. You can wear flip-flops at home.

Avoid wearing shoes with pointed toes and high heels or shoes that leave your heels or toes exposed, like slippers, open-toed shoes, and sandals. Wearing such footwear outdoors leaves your feet exposed to injury which could lead to infections.

Wear neutral materials such as wool, cotton, or cotton-wool blends. Don’t wear tight socks or socks with materials or rough areas that rub against the skin. Avoid tight-fitting shoes and look inside your footwear before wearing them to make sure there are no rough areas or irritating objects in them. Replace shoes that are showing signs of wear, and wear the type of shoes recommended by your doctor.

6. Wear fitting, comfortable shoes

Is your shoe too narrow? Are your feet crammed into your shoes? If you have nerve damage (neuropathy) it could be hard for you to notice that your footwear is too tight.

Your shoes should be as wide as your feet and about ½ inch longer than the longest toe. Shows that are too loose or too tight may cause injuries, such as blisters.

If you have diabetes, shop for shoes that have:

Outer soles made of stiff materials
Closed heels and toes
Leather upper without suede, canvas, or seams inside. Choose shoes with cushioned soles to absorb pressure. It is also essential to note that shoes with laces provide better support compared to loafers.
Soft insides without any rough areas

Avoid wearing new shoes for extended durations. Break in them slowly by wearing them for 1 or 2 hours a day.

Although well-fitting shoes are extremely important, you may also want to consider wearing diabetic socks to keep your feet injury-free and healthy. Diabetic socks can help keep your feet warm and dry, improve blood flow, provide cushion, and prevent fungal infections.

When you buy through links on our website, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support 🙂

The best diabetic socks have features such as:

Stretchy cuffs to promote blood flow
No seams and rough materials to prevent rubbing

Moisture-wicking materials that help keep your feet dry
Soft and thick at the ball and heel of your foot
Comfortable fit with no bunches or wrinkles

The bottom-line

If you have any injuries on your feet, be sure to seek medical attention and follow your doctor’s recommendations and guidelines. Don’t self-treat foot problems such as calluses, scratches, blisters, cuts, scrapes or corns.

Check water temperature using a thermometer or your elbow, not your feet. Seek medical attention if you notice foot problems such as cracking between toes (athlete’s foot), ingrown toenails, increasing pain or numbness, signs of infection (redness, drainage, or swelling), bunions, blackening of the skin, hammertoes (bent middle joints), and nails that seem changed in shape, striped, yellow, or thicker.

Read more about what causes diabetic foot swelling HERE!

Diabetic Foot Pain

Are Your Experiencing Diabetic Foot Pain?

Being a diabetic, many parts of the body get damaged, due to having too much glucose in the blood for extended periods. One of the main complaints of diabetics, I’d say would have to be the feet! In a nutshell, the cause of diabetic foot pain is mainly brought about by two main conditions

1. Diabetic Foot Pain & Nerve Damage

Diabetic neuropathy (damage to the nerves) is a very common complaint that occurs in the legs and feet. Basically, this condition occurs as a result of the normal process of the disease.

This condition can be quite dangerous:

you may not feel any pain,
you may not feel hot or cold
sores, ulcers, and even infection may be present and you’ll never know as you can’t feel it.

How often do we hear the words ‘my feet are killing me’!

Well, those words may well be too true for diabetics, unless good care is taken of your feet and in turn, lessen the diabetic foot pain you are experiencing. There are many home remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy.

Diabetic Foot Pain Treatment

Start by checking the trend of your blood sugar readings over the past few weeks (has it been a little on the high side). You should ask your Health care professional, his opinion regarding an A1c test. This test determines your levels over a time period. If your blood sugar levels are constantly high, this can contribute to nerve pain.
A good little gadget is a diabetic foot roller.Just gently massage your feet by running them over the roller. This may help reduce the severity of the pain.
Massaging the feet with some specialized diabetic foot cream, can play an essential role in preventing some of the problems.
Make sure you always wear good-fitting, comfortable supportive shoes. You could also invest in some inserts for extra comfort.

2. Diabetic Foot Pain and Poor Circulation.

Diabetes often also brings about poor circulation to the legs and feet. Once again, this is due to high glucose (sugar) levels in the blood, and the effects this has on the arteries, veins and capillaries. Capillaries tend to stiffen and get thicker with extra fatty deposits – this causes problems with delivering correct amounts of oxygen and vital nutrients to the tissues. (Peripheral vascular disease). Veins can swell up, when there becomes more blood they can cope with. Blood then pools into the legs and feet, sometimes even leaking out onto the skin.

diabetes foot nerve pain — diabetes and joint pain

I was visiting my Mom recently – she has problems with her feet due to poor blood flow. She bought herself a Circulation Booster and I tell you, the difference for her, was amazing!

How can I help Foot Pain from Poor Circulation?

It’s a great idea to have a regular check-up with your podiatrist – perhaps once every 6 months.

2. Wear support hose, or get yourself a good pair of ‘diabetic socks’, for when you have long periods of sitting, or when traveling.

3. If you are a smoker, give up! If you are suffering from Peripheral vascular disease (bad circulation) you will definitely benefit from giving up smoking.

4. EXERCISE EXERCISE! Of course, the best way to improve this condition is to make sure you get regular exercise. Walking is great! If you can manage 20-40 minutes a day, 5 days a week, this will make a significant difference to your circulation. A perfect situation is to make sure that you are walking quick enough to puff a little, but not too much so that you have problems holding a conversation.

To sweat just a little is also good. It means your body is working. You will have to make this a life change – a regular part of your daily life from now on. If you’re not quite up to 5 days a week, just start with 2 or 3 and build it up over time.

Once again, massage is great and may also help to reduce diabetic foot pain.

1
2
3
4
…
18
Go to the next page