Ways to Combat Diabetes

Diabetes is the result of having too much glucose in the blood because the body is unable to regulate glucose levels. There are different types of diabetes. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are irreversible. However, gestational diabetes---which occurs in some pregnant women---can be avoided. Regardless of what kind of diabetes you have, there are things you can do to combat its effects.

Eating Habits

• Be a consistent eater if you want to take control of diabetes and not let diabetes take over your life. Your blood-sugar level is the highest in the hour or so after you eat a meal. If you eat the same amount of food around the same time each day, your blood-sugar level is more likely to stay normal.

  A normal blood glucose range is usually 100 to 150 milligrams per deciliter. A diabetes diagnosis can usually be made if a person has a reading above 200 mg/dl and exhibits symptoms such as fatigue, excessive urination or weight loss.

  Try to eat carbohydrates throughout the day. By eating about the same amount each day and spreading that throughout your meals, your blood-sugar level will stay close to normal. If your carbohydrate intake is sporadic, it can be more difficult to regulate your blood-sugar level.

  Carbohydrates are divided into three groups: complex carbohydrates (starches), sugar and fiber. On a nutrition label, the term "total carbohydrate" includes the sum of all three types. Carbohydrates should make up 40 percent to 60 percent of a diabetic's daily calories.

  Think about the way you eat in terms of how the food relates to your medicine. If you're on insulin, as many diabetics are, talk with a diabetes specialist to find out what foods would be best to supplement your medication.

  Eating too much when you're taking insulin can lead to hyperglycemia, which occurs when your blood-sugar level is too high. On the other hand, if you do not eat enough while taking insulin, hypoglycemia, a low blood-sugar level, can occur. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include an irregular heart beat, shakiness and anxiety. Hyperglycemia causes excessive urination, hunger and thirst.

Physical Acivity

• Be physically active. Any kind of exercise can be effective at managing diabetes. However, you should not start exercising vigorously after finding out you have diabetes if you have not worked out in the weeks or months before your diagnosis. It is important to ease into exercise. Consult with a doctor to find out which kinds of exercises are best for helping you achieve a stable blood-sugar level during a workout. A brisk walk is usually a safe bet.

  Be consistent about how and when you check your blood-sugar level. It is best to check it before, during and after a workout. This can help you understand how your body reacts during different parts of an exercise routine, and you can come to a better conclusion about which kinds of exercises are best for you and how vigorous they should be. Remember to drink a lot of water when you exercise, because this helps stabilize your blood-sugar level.