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Living with a DiabeticManaging diabetes is essential to avoiding the numerous health complications associated with uncontrolled blood glucose levels. Diabetics who don't manage their condition can suffer from mild to severe problems with their eyes, nerves, feet, kidneys and heart. While diabetics themselves need to take control of their condition, family members of a diabetic should also make sure that they know as much as they can about this disease so they can prevent their loved ones from developing potentially life-threatening complications.
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Checking Blood Glucose LevelsQuite possibly, the most important part of managing diabetes is checking the diabetic’s blood glucose level regularly. The patient's doctor will recommend how often to check it. The frequency at which diabetics need to check their blood sugar can vary depending on daily activities or sickness.
Nearly all diabetics use a blood glucose monitor of some kind. These monitors check how often the person's blood glucose levels are in the target range. The target range is customized to each person and can change over time. A doctor can show the patient how to use the blood glucose monitor correctly. However, family members should also familiarize themselves with how to use blood glucose monitors, what their diabetic member’s target range is and what to do when blood glucose levels fall out of the range. Depending on how far out of range the diabetic’s blood sugar levels are, family members may have to get food for or administer insulin to their diabetic loved one. Doctors can advise family members about when each of the above options is necessary. Similarly, they can show a diabetic’s family how to inject insulin safely.
Tips for Administering InsulinMost diabetics need insulin, and many take their insulin in the form of injections. Doctors typically recommend injecting the insulin into the fat layer directly beneath the skin to decrease the pain (injecting deeper into muscle is more painful) and promote faster absorption by the body.
Here are the steps family members of diabetics can take to administer insulin:
The Diabetic DietMaintaining a healthy, low-fat diet is another important part of controlling diabetes. While some people have the misconception that a diabetic diet is very restricted, this is not true. A diabetic diet involves eating a balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat, all in moderation.
Family members can help diabetics eat a healthy diet by keeping healthy food and preparing healthy meals at home. Similarly, diabetics and their families can work with a dietitian or nutrition expert to learn strategies for maintaining a diabetic diet both at home and out at restaurants. Dieticians will help both the diabetic and their family to understand how to:
Along with what they eat, when diabetics eat is also important. To keep blood glucose levels consistently within a healthy range, diabetics should not skip meals and should try to eat at the same times every day. The body processes insulin differently depending on the time of the day and how much a diabetic has had to eat. For example, the body can better process insulin when it is administered in conjunction with a meal or snack.
Hyperglycemia and HypoglycemiaAnyone caring for a diabetic should be familiar with these two terms and what they mean for a diabetic. Hyperglycemia results when a person’s blood glucose levels are too high (i.e. above the target range) because he doesn’t have enough insulin in his body. Diabetes tends to cause hyperglycemia when patients are sick or they don’t monitor their blood glucose levels. The best way to prevent hyperglycemia is to regularly check blood sugar levels and to administer insulin when these levels exceed the target range.
Alternately, hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels fall below the target range. The causes of hypoglycemia include:
When a diabetic suffers from hypoglycemia, family members can help by getting the diabetic sugary food to eat, as this will increase the amount of glucose in his blood. Good options include orange juice, hard candy or soda. However, as with hyperglycemia, regularly checking blood glucose levels is key to preventing hypoglycemia.
Diabetics and ExerciseAlong with regularly checking blood glucose levels and eating a healthy diet, exercising is also important for diabetics. Exercise helps diabetics keep their weight within a healthy range, preventing them from suffering from possible diabetic complications.
However, diabetics should be careful when starting any exercise plan or activity, as exercise affects blood glucose levels. As a result, diabetics and family members should work out a healthy exercise routine with their doctors. In general, doctors recommend that diabetic get into their exercise plan slowly, so they know how their blood glucose levels will respond to it. Some things a diabetic should always have with them during exercise include:
Should blood glucose levels exceed or dip below the target range, having these supplies on hand will help the diabetic restore proper blood sugar levels. Resources American Diabetes Association (n.d.). Diabetes Care. Retrieved September 9, 2007 from the ADA Web site: http://www.diabetes.org/for-parents-and-kids/diabetes-care.jsp.
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Last modified: June 07, 2008 © morefocus group, inc.
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