Coping With Diabetes

Ways to help yourself

• Keep an eye on any signs indicating either high or low glucose levels.
  
• Learn how to measure glucose levels and do it regularly. The most important piece of equipment is the home blood glucose meter, which enables you to measure your blood sugar levels and control your insulin dose.
  
• Try to follow your diet as carefully as possible.
  
• Learn how to give yourself insulin injections.
  
• Always carry glucose for the treatment of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose). Occasionally, a glucagon injection (GlucaGen) may be necessary for severe hypoglycaemia.
  
• See your doctor on a regular basis to evaluate your blood glucose levels, carry out check-ups on your eyes, kidneys and feet, and check for any late stage diabetic symptoms.
  
• See your doctor early on if you become ill because it may cause your diabetes to become unstable.
  
• Note down glucose levels in a 'diabetes diary', which you can then discuss with your doctor.
  

A healthy lifestyle

In addition to controlling blood sugar, lifestyle is a key part of ensuring diabetes has the minimum impact on health.

Alcohol should only be consumed in moderation and with food.

Smoking damages the circulation and, like diabetes, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is extremely important for smokers with diabetes to stop smoking.

Physical activity
Physical activity, which promotes a healthy circulation and helps to maintain a healthy weight, is recommended. Many successful sports people have diabetes: well-controlled diabetes need not prevent an active life.

Physical activity will help reduce the associated risks of diabetes such as heart disease and cholesterol, as well as improve your general wellbeing.
But you may need to adjust your insulin dose according to the amount of exercise you do. Too much insulin and exercise may lower your blood sugar level and lead to hypoglycaemia.

A healthy diet
A healthy diet is essential. This is the same as the normal, balanced diet recommended for good health – low in fat, sugar and salt; high in fibre, vegetables and fruit. Special diabetic foods are not necessary, but it’s important to eat regularly and keep weight under control.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that is low in fat and high in fibre and carbohydrates (eg pasta, rice, potatoes).
Try to eat the same amount of carbohydrates each day. You should also try to eat three main meals and two to three snacks daily.
You can get specific dietary advice from the dietician attached to your diabetes clinic.