Diabetes, I Ain’t Having It!

A- Z Of DIABEATERS’ DAILIES
Whilst there is a lot you are advised to do to stay healthy when diabetes is living with you, none of it is an obligation. You get to choose what you do. Regardless of which type of diabetes you are managing however, you need to have an effective food, exercise and lifestyle regime. This is really no different to anyone who wants to live healthily.
Like those who have diabetes living with them, there are many groups of people who have to manage their lives with a great deal of care; athletes of all kinds, actors, people with other illnesses living with them, those wanting to gain or lose weight and those who are making physical changes after some time of neglect. Even obese, junk food addicts have to find ways of making sure they have stocked up enough of their fixes around them, have tricks and excuses up their sleeve for doing no exercise and sometimes have to find special shops to buy their clothes.
Also think about the person that is obsessed with their appearance. Perhaps you know someone that is particular about everything they wear (from what you can see to what you cannot) and who spends a fortune on their hair and make-up regardless of whether this is within their budget or not. Then there is the person with an addiction to their hobby; every opportunity revolves around that car, motorbike, collection of cuddly toys etc. All of the above people have one thing in common. They are making an effort to have what they want in their lives.
I know that in your case you did not necessarily directly choose to have diabetes or to make the amount of effort you need to keep it under control, but hey, you have got it and life could be so much worse. So what do you need to do?
What follows is an A – Z of Diabeaters’ dailies that will help you stay well. This is all stuff you can control every day from the pills you may need to take to the people you hang out with. The more you do the better management you will have over diabetes living with you and hence your life from the moment you wake up to the time you hit the sack.
Here goes:
 
Attend clinics. This will help you to become knowledgeable about your situation.
Blood tests. These should be done regularly under the guidance of your doctor and may be monthly, every three, six, nine months or annually. They will include your glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). This will tell you your average blood glucose level over the past six weeks to three months. This is worth knowing as your morning reading may be giving you a better or worse picture of what is really going on in your body throughout the day. Additionally, you could be experiencing glucose highs and lows without knowing it. Your HbA1c will help to pick this up. You will probably also be required to have your lipid profile done at the same time.
Along with your blood tests make sure you keep a careful eye on your blood pressure. It should not be higher than 80/130. You can buy a blood pressure kit from your local pharmacy. Get a good one that you can put on your upper arm. These are more accurate than the wrist only ones.
Check your blood glucose level daily. This should be done when you wake up in the morning. Doing this before breakfast will give you your fasting reading (assuming you have not been feeding yourself in your sleep). This fasting reading is the most accurate indicator of where your true blood glucose level is. Testing at this time may also help you to gauge how you eat and exercise for the rest of the day. The trick of course is to make sure you keep your blood glucose level stable with your regular and healthy lifestyle. Our bodies like a clear pattern.
Also make sure you use your blood glucose-monitoring diary to record your morning readings.
This will help ensure that both you and your doctor can see your progress at a glance. This record will also help you to predict your HbA1c test results. Trying to generally remember your readings will lead to inaccuracies. It is better to know exactly how well you are doing.
Drink water. You know the importance of keeping hydrated. The amount of water you should drink will depend on your size, gender, lifestyle habits and any other ailments you may have. As a general daily guide one liter is recommended for those without diabetes living with them. Add to this what you feel comfortable with.

* Lipid profile blood testing screens for abnormalities in lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides. When you are giving blood for your lipid profile, it is also worth having your renal profile done. The renal profile will tell you about the state of your kidneys. This is of particular importance if you are taking pharmaceutical medication, as this will certainly be making your kidneys work harder. The results of this test can identify certain genetic diseases as well as determine approximate risks for cardiovascular disease and some forms of pancreatitis.