Saturday, April 09, 2011

Health Tips for April 9

Health Tip: Spot Warning Signs of Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood glucose, common among people with diabetes. It can occur even when you're trying hard to manage your blood sugar levels.

The American Diabetes Association says while you can't always prevent hypoglycemia, you can take steps to treat it if you know the warning signs:

  • Sweating or turning pale.
  • Feeling dizzy or shaking.
  • Developing a headache.
  • Feeling hungry.
  • Showing moodiness, or rapid behavior changes.
  • Moving awkwardly or clumsily.
  • Having a seizure.
  • Acting confused, or having problems paying attention.
  • Having a tingly feeling around the mouth.

Health Tip: Take Control of Your Diabetes

Keeping your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible can help prevent complications of diabetes.

But how do you get started?

The American Diabetes Association offers these suggestions:

  • Make changes gradually, rather than trying to do everything at once. Start with a single change, such as checking your blood sugar more often.
  • Take an honest look at how you're coping with being diabetic, and deal with any issues such as anger or depression.
  • Be realistic about what you can accomplish, and understand that you can't always have perfect blood sugar. With practice, you can learn to administer the right insulin dose for different situations.
  • If the demands of the disease get overwhelming, allow yourself a small break from the new routine, then start again as quickly as possible.

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