The Do’s and Don’ts of a Diabetic

by Dr. Ajay Phadke
5 minutes
The Do’s and Don’ts of a Diabetic

The causes of diabetes are mainly genetic. In Type 1 diabetes, the immune cells of the body start to attack the insulin-producing cells, leading to higher blood sugar. In type 2 diabetes, the body stops using insulin properly. Both of these can be managed by proper sleep, avoiding a high sugar diet and carbohydrates, and regular exercise. Some warning signs for diabetes include:

  • Excessive thirst and hunger.
  • Frequent urination
  • Weight loss or gain.
  • Tiredness
  • Irritable mood.
  • Blurry vision.
  • Slow-healing wounds

Here are some tips to regulate your blood sugar levels, if you are diabetic.

Diet for Diabetic patients:

A balanced diet is key to a healthy body. The same can be said for healthy blood sugar levels:

  • Maintain a balanced diet. Consume fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains and low-fat milk to maintain sugar levels.
  • Try your best to moderate eating foods with a lot of fat and salt in them.
  • Try and consume food with a lot of fiber. Muesli is a good source!

Lifestyle:

Our choices on a daily basis as to how we live can affect our bodies. Here are some tips to stay healthy, and lower risk for diabetes:

  • Make sure that you exercise at least 30-60 mins a day around 4 times a week. Brisk walking is a good way to maintain weight and regulate blood pressure.
  • Stress can raise sugar levels in the blood. Try and take a breather with some yoga, meditation or pilates once in awhile.
  • Smoking and drinking can lead to an increased risk of high blood sugar. Try and cut down on this to improve your lifestyle.

 Medical Pointers:

  • Never skip the medication prescribed to you.
  • Get regular body checkups. Usually, diabetics show risk for nerve damage and loss of sensation in the feet. Always keep watch for odd blisters and cuts on the feet.
  • Monitor your kidneys with regular tests. A microalbumin/creatinine ratio is advised a few times a year.
  • Since high sugar can damage blood vessels in the eye, it is advised that diabetics get regular eye checkups to prevent issues from arising, or detect such problems early.