Home Treatment Tips for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Taking Care of Diabetic Patient at Home: Tips for managing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is the chronic abnormal high level of glucose in the bloodstream. Thehome care tips for managing diabetes are similar for both types of diabetes. The main goal of diabetes care management is to control blood glucose levels. However, in a bid to lower the glucose level to a normal range, care must also be taken to avoid low blood glucose. While we try to balance under-treatment and overtreatment of diabetes, we must apply caution in monitoring the treatment of diabetes – thus our diabetes tips.

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Home management for type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. This means that the human immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The resultant effect is that there is little or no insulin production. At this point, the glucose in the bloodstream is relatively high. It is still very unclear what the cause of this type of diabetes is. However, it is severe and needs to be managed appropriately, especially at home.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Type 2 diabetes deals with how the body cell becomes resistant to the action of insulin, and the pancreas is unable to produce the needed insulin to overcome the resistance. The endpoint is the large influx and accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream. The symptoms of both types of diabetes are pretty similar, ranging from frequent urination to increased thirst, and appetite.

Though it is not easy to live with any condition that restricts your lifestyle, it is also not impossible. Specific steps can help maintain a healthy balance between diabetes and lifestyle.

Tips on Taking Care of A Diabetic Patient At Home

Let us consider the following tips in home management for diabetes types:

Nutritional Therapy

When you don’t eat healthily and consequently skip meals, the tendency for the glucose level to fluctuate remains a possibility. As you change how your diet is portioned, you can keep these unusual fluctuations in check. Harnessing these routines involves;

·         Avoiding aerated drinks and instead, drinking lots of water and making sure the diet contains food with lots of fiber and fruits

·         Constantly communicating with the doctor to monitor the meal plan for diabetes

·         Consumption of Alcohol should be entirely avoided as it contains high-calorie content with no nutritional value.

·         Keep track of carbohydrate intake as they increase the level of glucose in the blood.

·         Taking in seafood can also be helpful as their cholesterol, and saturated fats are low

·         Garlic helps control high blood pressure, and its intake should be much.

Generally, a better dieting plan should contain food rich in vitamin D, lycopene, vitamin C, and fiber which are rich in antioxidant that helps to reduce the risk of heart diseases, magnesium, omega -3 fatty acids, vitamin E, zinc, proteins, vitamin K and chromium which helps to enhance the effect of insulin. Healthy dieting is the bedrock for better living.

Drug therapy

Medication has a lot of impact on home management for diabetes type 1 and 2. Oral drugs are available that helps to enhance the level of insulin in the body and should be taken based on proper consultation of a doctor. The timing and the dosage are also critical components in the usage of drug therapy. This therapy alone doesn’t give all the needed results and should be combined with other treatments. Insulin primarily responds to extreme temperatures, so it should be stored at the ideal temperature. In the case of taking new medications, ensure to consult the doctor before starting. In the case where there is another health challenge (illness), endeavour to ask the doctor to know if it will impact the blood glucose level. This is to help you understand how to apportion the needed routines to keep track of the blood glucose even after taking the new medication.

Exercise therapy

When there is physical activity, the body utilizes glucose for energy. It helps to use insulin effectively, which works to lower the blood glucose level. The more material the action, the longer the effect on the individual. It helps to strengthen the heart and maintain the ideal weight required for proper blood circulation. Taking out time to exercise, especially for one who is diabetic, increases the chances of health complications. A pedometer or fitness band can be tied around the individual to keep track of physical activity. Engaging in aerobic exercise such as running, jogging, and skipping is essential; however, this activity is relative to age, weight, and treatment goals. Monitoring your blood glucose before and after the exercise is an indicator of how well you are fairing and knowing how best to continue the regimen. Also, you may have to be careful of how sudden the blood glucose reduces, if it is at a sporadic rate, and you feel tired, shaky, hungry, and numb, do well to check your nutritional plan and take some meal to get you up some energy. In the cause of the exercise, drinking too much water or other fluids other than alcohol is essential as dehydration does affect blood glucose levels. In a situation whereby the individual is stressed, hormones in the body tend to affect responses that may increase the level of glucose. Learning relaxation techniques is paramount in cases like this while dealing with the diabetes home care management routine. Get a plan and work together with the doctor to get you up to speed on handling stress.

At home, one crucial glucose monitoring is the use of a reagent strip and a glucometer. This is done so that a lancelet is used to puncture a finger. The blood gotten is then placed on the strip, which is already in the glucometer and, when measured, gives us the amount of glucose in the blood of the person. This method can be done from time to time at home to know how much the glucose level is and how to curb excess in any case.

So check first if the meter is calibrated correctly to avoid wrong readings, that the reagent strips are appropriately stored and not expired, the blood should also not be left for too long on the reagent strip before the task is done to avoid giving the wrong amount of blood glucose and the person is not dehydrated. So the bottom line for this is to provide immediate feedback and know the active steps to avoid any complications.

Living with diabetes and living longer is a fact of life. It requires a constant and consistent interaction between the person and the doctor, do not allow it to keep you from living your best life, don’t let it keep you in a perpetual state of depression. All of these affect you. Live fully by staying closely with all counsel given by the doctor and never allowing diabetes to get you worried and desperate. Controlling your lifestyle and diet keeps you ahead.