Everyone needs Carbs, they fuel the body and provide energy to enable the body to function. The body converts carbs into glucose or blood sugar. Insulin, produce by the body, moves the glucose from the blood into the cells for energy. As a person with diabetes cannot produce their own insulin the excess glucose builds up in the blood stream causing complications.

To count the carbs one must-

• Identify which foods have carbs
• Calculate portion size
• Determine the number of carbs in each portion

Eating out can pose problems, but check menu carefully, order simple meals avoiding fancy dishes and sauces. You can eat a pudding but leave out the potatoes or bread.

It is important to learn to balance the food, medication and exercise.

Calculating the amount of carbohydrates that will work effectively with medication and exercise is crucial to ensuring safe levels of blood sugar.

Skipping meals could increase blood glucose levels and signals to the liver to release glucose, eating something small will prevent this from happening.

Including healthy carbs, such as fruits and grains, can restore energy levels and help maintain blood sugar levels.

Testing blood glucose levels on a regular basis enables management of the diabetes, and helps make informed decisions about diet, activity and self adjusting insulin intake.

Recording blood glucose levels is essential to build up a history of results and draw conclusions from them.

How to treat a hypo

Symptoms will be different for each person but typical signs are:

• Tired and weak
• Difficulty concentrating
• Exaggerated mood changes
• Feeling dizzy

Hypos can occur at any time- pay attention when exercising, playing sports or during physical activity.

• Test glucose levels
• Take 10-15grm of quick acting carbohydrate- sweets or sugary drinks
• Check glucose levels after 10 minutes
• Repeat sugary drink / sweets if necessary

Diabetes is controlled by eating well, exercising, medication and keeping well informed about the condition, new treatments and changes in information from the relevant organisations.

• Keep all appointments with health team
• Seek medical advice to answer questions or alleviate concerns
• Follow recommended diet- know what is healthy to eat- ask dietician for help
• Exercise regularly approximately 20-30 minutes per day. Always take advice from your diabetic nurse or doctor. Experiment to find out which exercise works best for you.
• Take medication as directed. Skipping doses can cause complications and can be life threatening. Be aware of interactions between diabetic medication, food, drink and other drugs. Your doctor needs to know all medication being taken including vitamins and herbal medication.
• Keep all records updated. Record blood glucose levels to show to medical team a food and exercise diary is also useful tool. The more information shown to medical team the easier to manage this disease.
• Watch for diabetic complications- knowing what can go wrong gives a better chance of noticing signs early, and enabling the diabetic patient to do something about them.

Avoid pain when injecting:

• Relax muscles above injection site- allowing for better coverage of fat when injecting
• Use needle and insulin at room temperature
• Push needle in quickly
• Do not wiggle needle as injecting or withdrawing needle
• Use new needle for each injection

A little blood may leak out after injecting if needle has gone into a small blood vessel do not worry about this. The area round this area may become raised this will ease off after a few hours.

Rotate injection site:

• 4 main sites- abdomen, buttocks, outer thighs and upper arms
• Skin becomes less flexible and lumpy and insulin will not be absorbed as well if sites are not rotated
• Squeeze area to be injected and if not supple pick a different spot to inject into

Caring for diabetes is a lifelong responsibility. Careful diabetes care can reduce the risk of serious- even life threatening- complications.

Main complications

• Heart disease
• Kidney damage
• Eye damage
• Nerve damage
• Stroke
• Limb amputations

How To Prevent Complications

• Keeping blood sugar under control
• Getting regular physical activity
• Eating a healthy diet
• Make a commitment to managing diabetes
• Don’t smoke
• Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control
• Regular hospital appointments- bloods and eyes
• Vaccines up to date- high blood glucose levels weaken the immune system

Diabetics face special dietary challenges in order to keep their blood glucose levels under control. The following food suggestions now only keep good control but also fend of any major complications.

Fish

One of the best choices is fish as it contains protein but not the high fat content of meat. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for keeping triglyceride levels low and a healthy heart.

Vegetables

High levels of fibre and low in calories keeping blood glucose levels low and the heart healthy. 4-5 servings of vegetables a day. Regulate intake of starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn and peas.

Fruit

Unfortunately fruit contain natural sugars but also contains fibre and acts as an antioxidant. 3-4 servings daily.

Nuts

Nuts are an excellent snack option containing good fats which reduce insulin resistance making blood glucose easier to manage. Nuts also lower cholesterol.

Whole Grains

Whole grains have more fire and fewer calories. Avoid red meat, white bread and fried foods.