Diabetis: How to keep your life active

Have a quick body scan daily.

Check your body head to toe. Look for cuts, sores, blisters, and ingrown toenails. Don't forget the places where moisture can hide and germs can grow. Check under your arms and breasts, and between your legs and toes. Look extra-closely at your feet. Use a mirror to help you see all over. If you have cuts or scrapes, treat them quickly. Also treat dry skin.

Do not walk bare foot.

Take a minute to put a pair of slip-on shoes and socks near the door so you aren’t tempted to go outside barefoot. Make sure your slippers or house shoes are handy, too. Even indoors, you need to protect your feet. Check your shoes before putting them on -- make sure there's nothing in them that might bite or cut you. Change shoes during the day to relieve pressure spots on your feet.

Learn about hypoglycemic attacks.

Some time you may get hypoglycemic attacks, means your blood glucose level may drop below 70 mg/dL.You may feel dizzy, hungry, or shaky. This may happen if you skip a meal, take to much diabetes medicine, or exercise harder than usual without eating. Put a few glucose tablets, or five or six pieces of hard candy with you.

Regularly check your blood sugar level.

Check your blood sugar level regularly depending upon your control of your sugar level. Fasting or empty stomach sugar levels should be between 70 to 110 mg/dL, and after 1 to 2 hours after meal it should be between 110 to 170mg/dL.

Learn about your sugar level before after exercise

You can learn about your sugar level by checking it before and after taking exercise. If your doctor advise you to check your sugar levels before and after taking exercise, mark a reminder.

Take medication according to prescription based on your life style.

Discuss with your doctor about your life style and he will prescribe you medicines according to your level of activity.

Eat foods of low glycemic index

Take those foods that have low glycemic index. Make a list of it and paste it on your refrigerator so you can always have a look at it.

Drink more water and liquids.

Take plenty of water. It will help you control your high blood pressure which is almost always a companion of diabetes. 

Take exercise in spurts if you can not take it at one time.

Exercising 30 minutes a day is an important part of managing your diabetes. If you find it tough to fit into your busy lifestyle, break it up into three 10-minute spurts instead.

Set Up a First-Aid Kit

Diabetes can turn a minor injury into a major problem. Take a few minutes to gather these supplies:

• hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds
• triple-antibiotic cream for dressing cuts and scrapes
• sterile gauze for covering wounds

If you have circulation problems or peripheral neuropathy, you may need to see a doctor or wound care center.

Always wear your diabetic identification bracelet or any other thing to let people know that you are diabetic in case of any emergency.