Self Care and Prevention
In addition to eating right, exercising, monitoring your blood glucose and following your doctor’s instructions, following these tips can help you prevent diabetes related problems.
Teeth
- Brush and floss at least twice a day
- Visit the dentist and have teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year
Feet
- Check feet daily for sores, cuts and blisters
- Wear comfortable shoes and break new shoes in slowly
- Wear slippers around the house
- Trim toenails and file down sharp edges
Skin
- Keep skin clean and check for wounds daily
- Moisturize everyday to keep skin from drying and cracking
Preventing Diabetes: Pre-Diabetes Management
The Diabetes Prevention Program, a major clinical trial conducted by the NIH, concluded that people at high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes could reduce their risk of getting the disease with diet and exercise.
By losing 5-7% of body weight by eating a low fat diet and exercising 30 minutes a day, study participants lowered their risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by 58%.
People who took 850 mg of the drug, metformin (Glucophage®), twice a day reduced their risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by 31%.
Exercise and eat right to keep your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol down. Losing weight will help your body make and properly use insulin, fighting insulin resistance that characterizes pre-diabetes.
Low Blood Sugar: Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is defined as having blood sugar of 70 mg/dL or lower.
The following are symptoms to look for:
If you are experiencing the symptoms of hypoglycemia, the NIDDK recommends drinking half a cup of fruit juice, a third if a cup of a soft drink, eating 2-3 glucose tablets or three pieces of hard candy.