Care Points – An Ultimate resource for In-depth Health Information and articles

Did you know that the changes in lifestyle you will be faced with when you are told you have diabetes will make you a healthier person overall? Not only will your new lifestyle help you manage your diabetes, but you’ll enjoy all of your life more if you take a few important steps to becoming a healthier individual.

Your health care professional wants to help you fight the damage diabetes can do to your body. The more you manage your diabetes, the more you can prevent the serious side-effects it can cause. Your health care professional will assess the severity of your disease, determine whether or not you need medications and which type, and advise you on the lifestyle changes you need to make. The more you work together with your health care provider, the more you can prevent diabetes from getting out of control.

The complications of diabetes are many and troublesome. They include diseases of the eyes, heart, and kidneys to name only a few. The medications used to treat diabetes are not without their side-effects as well. There are ways you can control the progress of diabetes, however. The most important of these are diet, exercise and education.

Eating a healthy diet means nutritious food and regular meals (and snacks if recommended by your nutritionist or health care provider). You may need to watch the amount of salt, fat, or carbohydrates you consume; in some cases, even protein intake must be monitored. Maintaining a healthy weight will help you maintain your health and aid in preventing further diabetes complication. Some patients are able to manage their diabetes through diet and exercise alone and do not need to take supplemental medications.

Exercise can help make your heart stronger, help you achieve or stay at a healthy weight, and help you feel better, all while making it easier to keep your blood sugar under control. Always talk to your physician or health care provider before beginning any new exercise plan. If you have been newly diagnosed with diabetes, talk to your physician or health care provider about any exercises you are currently doing to see if they may be continued or need to be modified.

The more you understand about how diabetes affect you body, the better able you will be to control your diabetes. We are learning new things about diabetes and the ways to treat it every day. New medications are also being discovered that help diabetics manage their blood sugar. Testing methods are using smaller and smaller blood samples, making those routine blood sugar readings less painful. Your doctor, nutritionist, or other health care provider can help you learn more about diabetes. There are also many reputable sources of information online. The more you know about your disease, the more you can control it, and live the life you deserve.

Doesn’t it seem that more and more of the people you know are diabetics? It’s true. The number of people being diagnosed with diabetes grows every day. And no wonder. We drink gallons and gallons of sugary sodas and eat junk food with no nutritional value, we are bombarded with stress—it’s no surprise that more and more of us are being faced with diabetes.

Proper foot care is essential for diabetics. Even if you aren’t a diabetic now, you may be in the future, and good foot hygiene is a good idea for everyone.

Here are some steps to food foot care:

•    Clean your feet every day:  This is one of the most important steps you can take to keep your feet healthy. Make sure to dry your feet thoroughly—especially between your toes—to prevent fungal infections. Use a gentle cleanser.

•    Trim your nails regularly: Your nails should be of an appropriate length so that your feet fit comfortably into your shoes. The nails should be smooth so that they do not get caught on the fibers of your socks. Be careful not to cut your nails too short so you do not cause ingrown nails. Watch for signs of fungus or other nail disease.

•    Socks are important too: You should wear clean socks every day. Your socks should be made of a material, like cotton or a wicking synthetic, that allows moisture to evaporate and air to circulate. White socks will prevent dyes and colorants from irritating your sensitive skin.

•    Shoes, your last line of defense: Shoes should fit properly. They should have a toe box that is large enough to allow you toes freedom of movement and circulation of air. Do not lace or otherwise close them too tightly as that can create pressure points. Always check the inside of your shoe before you put it on for any flaw or bump which can create problems

You only get one pair of feet in this life, and they have to carry you for many years. Take good care of them and they will serve you well.