Living and coping with diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that can increase the risk of developing
other problems with the health. However there are many ways you can help to
keep your diabetes under control and lead a relatively normal life. Living a
healthy lifestyle, attending check up appointments and managing your blood
sugar levels successfully, go a long way to your success in dealing with this
illness.
Monitoring blood sugars
In order to maintain your diabetes successfully it is essential that you
are able to monitor your own blood sugar levels. There are a variety of home
machines that you are able to buy to give you accurate indications of the
level. Self monitoring has the advantages of letting you be aware when your
level is too low, will allow you to monitor your level during times of sickness
and gives you confidence in the ability to successful keep your diabetes under
control.
The best way to get accurate readings is to monitor your levels at
different times during the day or week. The small machines designed to be used
in the home are very easy to use and include everything you need to stay on top
of the disease and help you to control it.
Get a check-up
Attending regular check ups is also a necessity, check ups are usually
made every 3-months, 6-months or yearly and help to prevent complications from
diabetes and make sure you are controlling it successfully during the absence
of check-ups. During a check-up you will have blood tests to monitor your
glucose level, test your level of cholesterol, and have your blood pressure
checked and your feet and nerves. You should also schedule an eye examination
to check for any damage to the back of your eyes.
Other risks
You are more at risk of developing other illnesses along with your
diabetes, such as heart disease and problems with your circulation so it is
imperative that you look after your overall health. Maintaining a healthy diet
can go a long way to helping you keep your condition under control; you should
eat at regular intervals and include low in fat while being high in fiber
content. It is very important that you watch the amount of sugar you eat in
your diet and also restrict the amount of salt you use in cooking and on food.
Developing an exercise routine is also good for your condition, not only
will it help to keep your blood sugar level stable, but will also help you to
maintain a healthy weight.
If you have diabetes then you shouldn’t smoke or drink alcohol, smoking
increases the risk of developing many other illnesses. If you do drink then
keep it to a minimum and never drink alcohol on an empty stomach as this could
lead to hypoglycemia.
You should also buy home kits for testing your level of cholesterol and
blood pressure, the ideal for blood pressure is around 130/80 and your
cholesterol level should be below 4.0 if you suffer from diabetes.
Preventing
carpel tunnel syndrome
The bones and other tissues in your wrist help to protect your median
nerve; together they form a narrow tunnel that is known as the carpel tunnel.
Your median nerve is what gives you feeling in your fingers but occasionally
ligaments and tendons get swollen and become painful as they press against the
median nerve. When this happens your hand hurts or even becomes numb and you
develop an extremely painful condition know as carpel tunnel syndrome.
Carpel tunnel syndrome most commonly affects people who do the same
movements with their hands continually. Those who more at risk include typists,
carpenters, grocery packers and assembly line workers, people with hobbies such
as gardening, needlework, golfing and canoeing are also more at risk of
developing the syndrome. It has also been linked with illnesses such as diabetes,
arthritis and thyroid disease and women in the last few months of pregnancy can
develop it.
The first signs that indicate you might be suffering from carpel tunnel
syndrome include
- Tingling
or numbness felt in your hands and fingers, especially around the index,
middle fingers and thumb.
- Pain in
the palm of your hand, forearm or wrist
- The pain
or numbness is worse at night than it is during the day
- The pain
gets worse the more you use your hands
- You have
trouble gripping things and drop them more often
- Your
thumb feels particularly weak
Your doctor will perform an examination of your hand, fingers and wrist
to help determine whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome and may include a
nerve conduction test to help the diagnosis. If carpal tunnel syndrome is
diagnosed, treatment will usually consist of you having to wear a splint, and
give your wrist a rest and change the way you use your wrist. The splint can
help to alleviate the pain felt, particularly at night. Massaging the area of
pain and putting ice onto the area can all help, as can performing stretching
exercises. With treatment it is a condition that will improve, but there are
some things you can do to help prevent the onset of carpel tunnel syndrome.
Increasing your awareness of how you use your hands
and equipment throughout the day can make a change
Centering your work directly in front of you, your
forearms should be parallel to the floor or slightly lowered
- If you stand up to work then have your work bench at waist height
- Make sure your hands and wrists are in line with your forearms
- If you work long hours at a keyboard then titling it can help
- Use proper hand and wrist movements when using a mouse and trackball
- Make sure you hold your elbows in close to your sides
- Never rest of the heel of your hand or wrist especially if you have them bent at an angle
- Make sure that you take a slight break every 20 minutes.
- Do some stretching or flexing exercises every 20 minutes.
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