Diabetes is one of the most prevalent health challenges people face today. Dealing with it is no walk in the park, and taking care of a person with diabetes requires special care and instruction. Here are four useful tips for caring for a loved one with diabetes to help.
Learn More About the Illness
As the caretaker of someone with diabetes, now is your chance to learn more about the illness. Diabetes is very common, so you’ll be able to find a wealth of information. Although managing diabetes is not as complicated as it once was, it still requires specific knowledge, navigation, and persistence for both the caretaker and the person suffering the condition. There are certain medications to know. Also, you’ll need to know how to monitor glucose and insulin levels. Depending on the type of diabetes, your loved one may need to alter their lifestyle to include more exercise and cut out drinking or smoking.
Cook Healthy Meals
Another way to care for a person with diabetes is to cook them healthy meals. A healthy diet and fitness plan alone can stabilize blood sugar levels and curb or even eliminate insulin dependence. If it helps, meet with a registered dietician who understands the different types of diabetes. They can create a meal plan specifically for your loved one that includes their favorite foods, preferences, and tastes. More importantly, dieticians tailor these meals to incorporate healthy proteins, carbs, and fats to provide the essential nutrients for the body and stabilize blood glucose levels.
Create an Active Exercise Routine
Another useful tip for caring for a loved one with diabetes is to create an active exercise routine. No matter a person’s age or fitness level, exercise is a great way to lose weight and maintain glucose levels. Walking, running, cycling, and sports are great activities for both of you. Even just 30 minutes each day is enough to lead a healthy lifestyle. Paired with a healthy eating plan, your loved one will gain more control over their condition in no time.
Beware of Secondary Health Issues
People with diabetes often have secondary health issues they need to monitor. As the caretaker of someone with diabetes, you need to monitor these health issues too. For example, pay attention to their feet. Injury, infection, or sores affect the feet of someone with diabetes worse than someone without it. Report any issues to your doctor. Also, watch out for hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs when someone’s energy is low. They may feel hungry, nervous, confused, shaky, or nauseous. Those with diabetes experiencing hypoglycemia may pass out or have seizures that require further medical care. Keep these health issues in mind to keep your loved one safe.
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