| Diabetes is a disease that can lead to very serious | | | | completely dry as well. Wear properly fitting shoes and |
| complications -- such as blindness and amputation of | | | | socks to protect your feet. |
| limbs due to gangrene. For that reason -- if you have | | | | 4. Most importantly, keep checking your blood glucose |
| diabetes, be sure to take care of yourself. | | | | levels and make sure they are at the level |
| Here are some health tips for you to remember as | | | | recommended by your doctor. |
| you try to properly care for yourself: | | | | 5. Drink a lot of water every day -- at least 64 ounces. |
| 1. Stay on schedule with your medication and take it at | | | | 6. Eat a healthy diet and include carbohydrates, good |
| the same time on a daily basis -- preferably about the | | | | fats and lean protein. Eat a lot of fresh vegetables. |
| time you usually eat. | | | | Take a daily multivitamin and make sure that you |
| 2. Exercise regularly. | | | | include antioxidants as well as essential minerals. |
| Walking, playing golf, and using a treadmill are three | | | | 7. Ward off gum disease as much as possible by |
| possible exercises you might want to consider. Since | | | | brushing and flossing your teeth properly and often. |
| diabetics can become exhausted rather easily, regular | | | | Visit your dentist on a regular basis as well so that you |
| exercise will help you be more energetic. | | | | don't build up tartar on your gumline. |
| 3. Take special care of your feet. | | | | 8. Get plenty of sleep -- at least seven to eight hours |
| Diabetes can result in numerous complications | | | | every night. Keep regular hours so that your body gets |
| affecting the limbs and feet, so keep watch over your | | | | used to a consistent sleep pattern. Go to bed at about |
| feet and point out to your doctor any suspicious | | | | the same time each night. Not getting enough sleep |
| infections. If you have any sores on your feet, they | | | | can be very harmful to you as a diabetic. |
| can easily become infected if you have diabetes. | | | | Although there are serious complications that can |
| After you've taken a bath or shower, carefully | | | | result from having diabetes, you can help protect |
| examine your feet. Be sure to dry them thoroughly -- | | | | yourself by carefully following the eight tips in this |
| and make sure the areas between your toes are | | | | article. |