Unlike foods with high sugar content, not all fats significantly raise blood glucose levels. A healthy diet should contain some fat. It is which fats are chosen that can make a difference. If a diabetic patient is overweight, restricting fat intake can help the person lose weight. Instead of avoiding all fats, replace saturated and trans fats with healthy fats.

Fattening, sugary foods should be avoided. These foods can cause unhealthy spikes in blood sugar levels. Keeping blood glucose levels under control can help reduce the risks for diabetes complications.

Saturated fats and trans fats can increase a person’s risk for heart disease. Since diabetic patients already have an increased risk of heart disease, diabetic patients should avoid saturated and trans fats. Examples of saturated fats include butter, gravy, chocolate, high-fat meats, and high-fat dairy products. Stick margarines, fast food french fries, some baked goods, and snack foods like crackers and potato chips often have trans fats.

Not all fats are sugary foods. Oils, butter, olives, peanut butter, and even avocados are considered fats. A diabetes eating plan can allow for up to five servings of fat. An example of a serving of fat is a teaspoon of butter or margarine. The diabetic patient should follow the healthy eating suggestions given by their nutritionist or dietician.

Choosing healthier fats can be part of diabetic diets focused on improving blood glucose management, weight management, and overall health. Healthy fats are monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and omega-3 fats. These healthy fats can actually improve heart health. Avocados and olives may be considered fats, but they are healthy. When using oil for cooking, the diabetic patient should opt for olive oil or safflower oil.

Sesame seeds and nuts like almonds and cashews are monounsaturated fats. Albacore tuna, sardines, salmon, rainbow trout, and herring are sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Canola oil, flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnuts, tofu, and other soybean products are also sources of omega-3 fats.

A meal out can be more relaxed if the diabetic patient has a chance to prepare and plan for the event. Many restaurants offer healthy options. If the diabetic patient is unsure of what a food on the menu contains, the patient should feel free to ask for details. The diabetic patient may want to order a meal consisting of mostly steamed or fresh vegetables with a lean meat instead of a fatty meal.

The diabetic patient may want to avoid extra fats such as butter on a baked potato or bread. Instead, the diabetic patients can better control the amounts of fats by adding butter or a substitute themselves. If the person has had a significant number of carbohydrates during the day, the diabetic patient may want to avoid the usual serving of potatoes and opt for a second vegetable instead.

Eating for diabetes does not have to limit a patient from enjoying a meal in a restaurant. Many restaurants are eager to meet the dietetic needs of their customers. Even if a meal may normally be prepared and served in a way that would be unhealthy, they may alter their normal meals to suit the diabetic patient’s needs. A diabetic patient may also be able to order fruit for dessert instead of a typical, sugary dessert.

Many restaurants serve portions that are considerably larger than the proper portion size. A diabetic patient should cut the meat or entrée to reflect the correct portion size before they begin eating. The rest can be left on the plate or taken home. Eating large portions of carbohydrates could jeopardize the diabetic patient’s health and may even make the diabetic patient feel ill. By using common sense and perhaps a little creativity when ordering, the diabetic patient can include eating in a restaurant as part of healthy eating for diabetes.

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damaged that is caused by diabetes. Because of the nerve damage, a diabetic patient may not notice a sore on the foot until it becomes severe. Sores on the feet become more difficult to heal, especially if they get severe before receiving proper medical attention. Diabetic patients tend to have poor circulation in their feet, which inhibits their ability to fight infections.

A deep sore on the foot is called an ulcer. Diabetic ulcers affect the skin and the deeper tissue. A diabetic foot ulcer needs immediate medical treatment. Since diabetic feet cannot heal as easily, supportive treatment is required to prevent the sore from becoming worse. If a diabetic foot sore becomes severely infected or gangrene, amputation may be necessary.

One supportive medical treatment for diabetic foot ulcers is the use of a total contact cast. The total contact cast helps the diabetes ulcer to heal by taking pressure of the affected area. Total contact casts are made of fiberglass. The fiberglass shell with a bar on the bottom helps alleviate the pressure on the injury. The bar keeps the person’s weight from adding pressure to the injury while the person is walking or standing. Soft foam may cover the area of the diabetic ulcer.

The foot ulcer will typically heal within eight weeks. The cast may have to be changed weekly or more often as the doctor recommends. While diabetic patients wear total contact casts, they should limit the amount of walking and standing that they do. Resting and avoiding as much pressure or stress on the injury as possible can help speed the healing process. The doctor may also give other instructions regarding care of the diabetic wound.

The body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. The pancreas makes insulin to metabolize the glucose. The liver produces the glucose that the body uses for energy. The insulin helps the body make use of the glucose in the blood. If there is not enough insulin, the extra glucose remains in the blood and can damage body systems.

A chemical message in your body called DPP-4 tells the pancreas to stop producing insulin. Januvia works by blocking DPP-4. This block of DPP-4 increases the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas and decreases the amount of glucose produced by the liver. Therefore, the amount of glucose left in the bloodstream is lessened.

Januvia should not be used by people who have diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis is elevated ketones in the diabetic patient’s blood and urine. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not use Januvia. Women who are breastfeeding should not use Januvia since it is not known if Januvia may be passed to the infant through breast milk.

People with kidney disease should avoid using Januvia. Common side effects of Januvia include signs of an upper respiratory infection, including a runny nose, stuffy nose, headache, and sore throat. The more serious side effects of Januvia are allergic reactions and hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar. The risk for hypoglycemia from Januvia is associated with the use of Januvia with another kind of diabetes medication known as sulfonylureas. Signs of allergic reactions from Januvia include hives or rash and swelling of the tongue, lips, or face. Allergic reactions from Januvia can make breathing difficult. Diabetic patients who have signs of an allergic reaction should stop taking Januvia and contact their doctors immediately. If diabetic patients are having side effects of Januvia, the patients should consult their doctors.

The skin of senior diabetes patients may be thin or fragile. A fall that may cause a simple abrasion in a younger diabetic patient may cause a severe tear of the skin for a senior diabetic patient. The slowed healing process of seniors, especially seniors with diabetes, can make these injuries even more severe. A tear of the skin can be susceptible to infection due to the slowed healing process and poor circulation due to diabetes.

Hypoglycemia in seniors can cause a stroke. A stroke can be fatal or cause permanent damage. During a stroke, the blood flow to the brain is obstructed or interrupted. Without proper blood flow, brain cells begin to die. A stroke can cause paralysis on one side of the body. Permanent damage from a stroke often requires a lengthy period of rehabilitation.

Addition danger of hypoglycemia exists if the person loses consciousness while driving. The person may become injured or die as the result of a car accident. The car accident may also result in the injury or death of others. The emotional impact of having injured or killed someone as a result of a car accident from hypoglycemia can be devastating.

The best way to guard against hypoglycemia and its severe effects is to monitor blood sugar levels, take appropriate amounts of insulin, and eat at routine times. If a senior diabetic patient has been having episodes of hypoglycemia, the patient should notify the doctor and refrain from driving. Changes in diabetes medication may help a senior diabetic patient avoid hypoglycemia. Glucose tablets are quick sources of glucose that may raise blood sugar levels to safe levels. A diabetic patient who experiences hypoglycemia should consider keeping glucose tablets available.

Eating at regular times helps the diabetic patient from becoming too hungry and then overeating. If a diabetic patient waits too long to eat, the blood sugar level may become too low and put the diabetic patient at risk for hypoglycemia. The patient who skipped a meal or waited too long may respond to their hunger by overeating, which can cause the blood sugar levels to rise above safe levels.

Therefore, not eating at routine times could cause the blood glucose levels to be very unstable.
Someone who skips meals or waits too long to eat a regular meal could struggle with eating unhealthy snacks. While an occasional unhealthy snack may not negatively impact a diabetic patient’s blood glucose levels, it could become a real problem if it becomes an unhealthy eating habit.

Some diabetic patients prefer to plan out their meals for the day to make sure that their diabetic diet includes proper amounts of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. These diabetic patients may use diabetic diet exchange lists to plan their daily schedule of meals. Other diabetic patients may not do detailed planning of their meals in advance, but may consider what they have eaten so far that day in order to plan their next meal.

The level of dietary control that is necessary for the patient’s diabetes management varies from patient to patient. One diabetic patient may not need the level of planning and control that another patient needs. If a diabetic patient is having trouble maintaining healthy blood glucose levels, the diabetic patient may need more structured planning of their diabetic diets. If a diabetic patient needs to lose weight, this increases the importance of planning meals. With careful planning, the diabetic patient can have greater success with diabetes management and weight loss.

Diabetic patients using insulin glargine should administer the injections at the same time every day. Unlike many forms of long-acting insulin, Lantus does not have a large peak in its effectiveness. The blood sugar control is steadier than with other forms of long-acting insulin. The doctor may prescribe another form of insulin to inject according to blood glucose levels after meals. Diet and exercise are still important parts of diabetes management.

The most common side effect of insulin glargine is hypoglycemia. There are also potential side effects related to the site of the injections. The skin may have an injection site reaction. There may also be changes in the fat at the injection site. A diabetic patient may experience an allergic reaction during which they may experience itchiness or rash.

Lantus is sold in disposable injection devices commonly referred to as insulin pens. The insulin pens are prefilled with insulin glargine. The Lantus SoloStar pen holds three hundred units of insulin. The pens have extra fine needles. Needles, including insulin pens, should not be shared. The sterile needles should be replaced after each use. They can be used for up to twenty-eight days once it has been opened.

They should not be stored in the refrigerator like some types of insulin. The Lantus pen should be stored at room temperature. Lantus pens should not be left in sunlight. The Lantus SoloStar pens should not be used after the expiration date.

In addition to stabilizing daily blood glucose levels, diabetes patients on Lantus often experience an improvement in A1C levels. Lower A1C levels are associated with better diabetes management and decreased risk of diabetes complications such as diabetic neuropathy or kidney disease. Diabetes patients may find the single injections to be convenient.

Diabetes dental problems are not limited to gum disease. Diabetes and thrush can negatively impact each other. Thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth. Thrush causes white patches on the mouth and tongue. Dry mouth can also be a diabetes dental problem. Dry mouth makes a person more susceptible to thrush.

If someone with diabetes develops an ulcer or mouth sore, the diabetes slows the healing process. This can cause sores or ulcers to become worse or even infected. A mouth sore that may not cause any significant problems for someone without diabetes may need medical attention for someone with diabetes.

Diabetic patients should be aware of signs of dental disease. If the diabetic patient experiences bleeding gums, loose permanent teeth, pus along the gums, changes in teeth alignment, or persistent bad breath, the diabetic patient should contact the dentist. If the diabetic patient has dentures or other dental work and the fit changes, the diabetic patient should consult the dentist. A diabetic patient may not experience any symptoms of dental disease.

Other dental infections can be diabetes complications. Not only is diabetes a risk factor for dental infections, but the diabetes also makes it more difficult for the body to recover from infections. Like other body infections, gum disease and dental infections can negatively impact diabetes management. Infections can make blood glucose levels to become elevated or erratic.

Diabetic patients should let their dentists know that they have diabetes and any diabetes medications they are taking. Regular dental checkups can help detect and prevent dental disease diabetes complications. Diabetic patients should have dental checkups every six months or as recommended by the dentist. If dental disease is detected, early detection and treatment can help prevent serious dental diabetes complications. Dental surgery or procedures may need to be postponed if the diabetic patient’s blood sugar levels are not under control at the scheduled time of the procedure.

One study showed that exercising for half an hour five days a week can help prevent type 2 diabetes. Exercising for diabetes can help maintain healthy blood glucose levels. People may think that exercise for diabetes has to be strenuous or formal. There are many ways to be active. Even cleaning or walking can be very beneficial for someone who was not previously active. Adding a little activity is fine to start being more active. As the person becomes used to becoming more active, the person can work towards walking or doing other activity for at least half an hour at a time.

Setting small, attainable activity goals can help motivate a diabetic patient to keep becoming more active until they reach their ultimate goal. While someone may want to eventually be able to exercise for forty-five minutes at a time, going immediately from living a sedentary lifestyle to exercising for forty-five minutes can be dangerous. A person may sustain an injury by pushing themselves too hard and too fast. An injury could cause someone to become even more inactive than they were before trying to incorporate exercise in their lives. Slowly becoming more active can help prevent injury. If a diabetic patient has been inactive for a significant period of time, the patient may want to start by doing some simple stretches every day.

Diabetic patients with physical limitations can still find ways to exercise. People with arthritis often find swimming to be beneficial. Arm exercises are sometimes used as exercises for someone who is bedfast or elderly diabetic patients who are unstable on their feet. A diabetic patient should consult a doctor before beginning to use beginning exercise for diabetes management. Exercising for diabetes does not negate the need for monitoring blood glucose levels or taking diabetes medications.

If a diabetic child becomes ill with the flu or gets an infection, the illness or infection can cause blood sugar levels to become erratic or elevated. As diabetic children grow, the children may have slightly different blood glucose control or needs for insulin. If a diabetic child’s eating habits change, the child is likely to have changes in their insulin intake requirements. If a child becomes overweight, the child will probably need more careful dietary care and closer monitoring of blood glucose levels.

As a diabetic child becomes older, more of the responsibilities for diabetes care should be given to the child. With supervision, the older diabetic child can learn to check their blood glucose levels and either administer insulin injections or program the insulin pump. The parents’ goal should be to gradually increase the child’s independence so that by the time the child is a teenager, the teenager will be able to independently care for their diabetes.

During puberty, children’s bodies experience fluctuations in hormones. Some of these hormones can negatively impact diabetes control. Often, diabetic teenagers will have an easier time controlling their diabetes once they are past the hormone fluctuations of puberty. Throughout puberty, the teenage diabetic patients and their families may need extra help from their diabetes management team. The doctor and dietician may be able to offer extra support during this time if necessary.

During the teenage years, a parent may need to pay special attention to educating the teenager on the information the teenager needs in order to have proper diabetes management. The diabetic teenager should understand the importance of controlling blood glucose levels. The effects of junk food and alcohol may need to be stressed. If a parent needs help talking to their teenager about diabetes care, the parent may get help from a physician or from support materials available on the Internet.