Important Skills for Managing Diabetes

Diabetes affects millions of people and is a very serious lifelong health problem. However, keeping diabetes in control is difficult as most of the tasks required for managing diabetes rests on the person with diabetes.

So it is very important to know what it takes to control blood sugars and develop skills in the methods. Here are 6 important points to remember.

1. Diabetes and its treatment:

Diabetes cannot be completely cured but it can definitely be managed. There are basically two types of diabetes, the first being Type 1 diabetes, where in the body's immune system destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Due to low insulin level, it is treated with daily insulin injections and a healthy diet. The second type is Type2diabetes, here the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or does not use insulin efficiently. It is treated by implementing a diet modification, exercise plan or oral medication. Most people have this type and the sudden spurt in cases is said to be due to life style changes. 

2. Timely medication:

Medicines and injections are very important to manage diabetes. Learn all you can about the medicines  and the dosages the  doctor prescribes and  follow it carefully.  Always have the prescription at hand whenever you make any appointment with any healthcare professional and keep a stock of medicines while travelling  to avoid any medicinal complications. 

 3.  The right FOOD:

 The right food is key to managing diabetes. Stick to the diet recommended by the dietitian to maintain weight and to lower blood sugar. Never skip meals and eat three small meals along with healthy snacks to keep blood sugar level in control. Learn how to count carbs and add variety to meals. 

4. Self-testing:

Test blood glucose regularly. It provides the necessary information required to balance diet, physical activity and medications. If blood sugar falls below 70 or is above 240 more than two times in a week then call your doctor.

5.Hyper and Hypo-glycaemia: 

An unbalanced blood sugar level can lead to serious complications. If your blood sugars are low (less than 70) treat it immediately with 15 grams of carbohydrates ( 3-4 glucose tablets, ½ a cup juice or 1 cup skimmed milk). After this wait for 15 minutes and retest your blood sugar level. If it is still low then repeat  with 15 grams of carbohydrate. If blood sugar level is high, test  blood sugar every 4 hours, drink at least 8 glasses of water to prevent dehydration and consume 45-50 grams of carbohydrates every four hours. (orange or grape juice 1 ½ cups, 3 slices of toast and regular yog hurt 1 cup).
People with Type 1 diabetes with blood glucose level greater than 240 need to  test for ketones at every meal.

6. Preventive care:

People with diabetes need to worry about complications. Small cuts can become major complications. Check feet daily. Get eyes and mouth  checked regularly and get complete body check up to prevent long term complications.

People with diabetes have a greater risk of oral infections

Here is another reason for you to control your blood glucose level; you run the risk of developing oral complications.

People with uncontrolled diabetes are more prone to oral disorders such as
    dry mouth( xerostomia )
    taste impairment,
    painless swelling of the parotid salivary glands on both sides of the face(sialosis)
    yeast or fungal infection(oral candidosis) and
    inflammatory condition that affects mucous membranes inside your mouth (oral lichen planus) 
 

They are two to three times more likely to develop periodontal disease,the most widely noted manifestation of diabetes mellitus. How severe the disease is  depends on how long blood glucose levels are uncontrolled and not on how long they have had diabetes.

 An unhealthy mouth, especially if you have gum disease, may increase your risk of serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes and preterm labor.
 
Inflammation that starts in the mouth seems to weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar.
 

Saliva production is reduced in people with diabetes.  Saliva is very important for oral health.It helps in washing and cleaning the oral cavity Saliva washes away food particles and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, and helps to protect from microbial invasion or overgrowth that might lead to disease.It prevents accumulation of plaque which could be a contributing factor in a person with diabetes’s increased risk of periodontal disease and dental caries.So it is important to keep the oral cavity moist by stimulating salivary flow by chewing non- sugar gum or taking sips water regularly.

Good oral health is strongly dependent on attitudes and personal behaviour, habits at home and dental visits…

Early detection and treatment of dental caries, periodontal disease and other diseases will protect from harmful oral complications associated with diabetes.

"Periodontal disease worsens the diabetes while high blood sugar provides ideal conditions for infection to grow, including gum infections.

To protect your oral health, practice good oral hygiene every day. For example:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.

•  Floss daily.
•  Eat a healthy diet and limit snacking between meals. 

• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed.
• Schedule regular dental checkups.Also, contact your dentist as soon as an oral health problem arises.   

Remember, taking care of your oral health is an investment in your overall health.

Know more about Hypertension

Blood Pressure is the force with which your blood is moving through your arteries 120The top number measures the force of the blood in your arteries when your heart contracts (systolic) 80 The bottom number measures the force of the blood in your arteries when your heart is relaxed (diastolic)

 

Classification of Hypertension                 Type of BP                                                                                 Measure (mmHg) Normal Less than 120/80 Prehypertension 120/80 to 140/90 Hypertension (High BP) 140/90 and higher

Risk Factors for Hypertension Older than 50 years Overweight or obese Cigarette smoking Diabetes Kidney disease More than 1 oz alcohol per day(male)                      ½ oz alcohol per day (female) Family history of hypertension