I have been living with diabetes for several years now. I found out I was diabetic back in 2004. At first I really just ignored this health concern. Not a great thing to do! Because of depression I rarely took care of myself as one should. And truly didnt start until 9 months ago when I met the love of my life online.
Today I am truly blessed to be alive. The first major health hospitilization..I had not been checking my blood sugar levels as I should have been. I was drinking cans of coke left and right and eating poorly. I woke in the middle of the night freezing my tooshy off. I woke to find I had wet the bed. Now I had a good bladder and no issues with my bladder. The fact was.... I just had some much sugar in my urine that it had to release whether I was intended for it or not. Also my levels had been running over 300. Normal levels for me per docter and my weight were 100-130. My level during this time was spiking over 600 because my glucose meter could not even read them. I had been running high for several weeks and only on pills for the diabetes. I was hospitalized for a week until my levels were down to normal in a controllable level. I was also put on insulin at this time.
Some people new to diabetes in their life may not realize there are some important keys to maintaining proper blood glucose levels.....
1. YOU MUST EAT! You see i only ate once or twice a day. For your body to properly produce insulin and to properly utilize it into your body cells it must be nurished several times a day. This is why you are told to eat more often. 3 healthy meals and 3 healthy snacks. I am not one for maintaining diets as far as counting calories. I dont even count my carbs anymore. However I do use the chart that shows samples of appoximate food serving sizes on your plate. And I do use a simple guideline chart that instead of tellling me the carb number gives me a idea of how much I can have of the foods I like. One big thing I have learned is....if i need a non nutritional food, just have a strong craving for it. Then I eat it in a small reasonable portion. Because if I don't the craving grows and I would pig out. That is not wisable for any diabetic. The fact is there are simple ways to ensure a healthy diet without being a diet freak and implementing smart choices with the foods available to you. I say "available to you" because I am poor like alot of us and this leads to buying cheap non nutritional foods because that is all you can afford.
2. STRESS is a high factor in our blood sugar levels. For me, the more stressed and or depressed I am the higher my levels shoot, or they become speratic and rise and lower to much and too fast. So make sure you have or find an outlet for stress. Find something enjoyable to do if you feel stressed and your levels are acting speratic and changing alot.
3. DONT AVOID THE DOCTOR. If you dont like your doctor find a one that you do. You MUST seek and maintain regular doctor appointments. And if you are like me without insurance this is no excuse to avoid seeking health care treatment. You can find a near by (nearest to you) free health clinic. Some go by your income some are completely free. If this is not a choice for you please go talk to the financial department of your local doctors offices. One connected with your local hospital is best for this. Most will try to work with you knowing that you must have medical care. They will give you referals as well as can defer payments and you pay what you can while you go. Yes that would entale you having a bill add up. But what is more important...Letting a bill rack up while you maintain being healthy and alive OR you dieing because you did not maintain any needed care. Your local hospital nutritionist can also help. I have recieved help with insulin, needles, and free meter and testing supplies. As well as referals to local and national organizations who help cover the complete cost of my medicines and diabetic supplies.
