Diabetes - What to Do After You Are Diagnosed

The doctor just told you that you have diabetes. You shouldn't be startled by this fact because in spite of the fears and other notions of the disease, you can control it if you have a disciplined mind and periodical check ups. Your life will change after you are diagnosed with diabetes. You will need to take certain measures such as to stop eating certain foods and also some medical treatments to help you. Here's what you should do if you have diabetes.



Identify What Type It Is



Of the many types of diabetes, there are two distinct types that many people have been diagnosed with. These are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Your doctor will tell you what you have so you can know how to maintain and treat the disease.



Type 1 Diabetes is caused when your insulin levels in your blood are destroyed by your own cells. In this way, your sugar levels become so high that you won't be able to handle normal functions such as seal external wounds.



Type 2 Diabetes, on the other hand, is when your body resists the insulin hormone. The sugar simply doesn't react with it and as a result, your sugar levels remain the same. After a while, your pancreas will stop producing the hormone, eventually putting your life in danger.



Treat Each Type Respectively



Once you know what sort of diabetes you have, then you can treat it with taking specific measures effective for the type. Although you can perform these tasks to all forms of diabetes, you should keep in mind what you should be expecting from the treatment.



Since type 1 diabetes happens when your body destroys your insulin, you should take periodical insulin shots. This artificial insulin helps lower your blood levels. You can't take it orally through pills because your body will digest this, rendering it useless. Consult your doctor on the most efficient insulin shot for you and the frequency of the shots.



Type 2 diabetes can be maintained by an overhaul on your diet. You should ultimately cut down on the carbohydrates or sugar. Eat foods that help lessen sugar levels such as cinnamon, strawberries, and other berries. Even wine can reduce blood sugar levels, but don't drink too much.



For both forms of diabetes, you can always exercise more frequently. This will help speed up your body processes and allow the insulin hormone to be produced faster. If you can work out more often, you can use up the energy that carbohydrates fuel, which effectively lessens your blood sugar.



Diabetes shouldn't be something you should be afraid of. You still have your body in control, so you can control the diseases by knowing what type of diabetes you have and consequently treating the specific type. All it actually takes is a healthy lifestyle.

Type 2 Diabetes - Lower Blood Sugar Levels After Meals - It Is Important

Obtaining a blood glucose spike after eating food is very frequent in those with Diabetes 2. Most times, it's moderate if you are practicing moderation and portion control with carbohydrates, fats, and sweets. However, at times, the spikes may be more dramatic. Some people get surprised when they get their A1C test results and see their glucose levels are significantly higher than expected. If they have not monitored their glucose levels after eating, it may be a real shock. A1C measures the amount of glucose that passes through the blood over a two to three month period. Your daily readings may not show the spikes after eating, but your A1C will show it.



If individuals with Type Diabetes 2 do not practicing moderation and portion control, their spikes in blood glucose levels may be extremely severe. If you suspect you are getting these blood glucose readings spikes, change your glucose monitoring. Check your levels right before you eat and then again about an hour after you eat. Compare the two figures to see how high your glucose level rose. If you see a significant change, you likely are seeing these post meal spikes in your blood sugar. It is essential to get these under control if possible. Your type 2 diabetes will only get worse if you do not.



How do you lower your glucose levels after eating? Take a slow (10-15 minute) paced walk or just stroll right after eating. Physical exertion lowers glucose levels. It also slows down digestion a lot and that regulates or 'steadies' the blood sugar levels. Another method is to change what you are eating. Anything with low value carbohydrates will cause glucose to rise sharply. Starchy foods are particularly bad about this. Add a lot more more fruit and vegetables to your new diet. Add more fiber to slow the rate of digestion. Experiment with your injections of insulin. You need to time them so that they are at the highest level when the glucose is.



You might know that for sufferers with Type Diabetes 2, they should know both their blood sugar readings and their overall glucose profile or general patterns. Take regular readings for a couple of weeks and record the results. You may begin to see patterns with what you are eating affecting your glucose levels. Be sure to record food intake and physical activity in addition to your glucose readings. This gives the data that will suggest any problems or issues. A Type 2 Diabetes sufferer's healthcare team or other Type Diabetes 2 specialists will also love to see this data to observe how well they approach their Diabetes from day to day.