Diabetes Alert Day

Published on - March 21, 2016

Peninsula Home Care is promoting Diabetes Alert Day on March 22, 2016.  Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day “wake-up call” asking people to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.  You can find the test at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/prevention/diabetes-risk-test/

Are you at risk?

Diabetes Risk factors include:

• Being overweight
• High blood glucose
• High blood pressure
• Unhealthy Cholesterol
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking
• Unhealthy eating
• Age, race, gender and family history 

Diabetes Management can be addressed by looking at three simple factors of everyday life.

1. Food – Healthy eating is a cornerstone of any diabetes management plan. But it’s not just what you eat that affects your blood sugar level. How much you eat and when you eat matters, too.
   1. Keep to a schedule. You can help lessen the amount of change in your blood sugar levels if you eat at the same time every day, eat several small meals a day or eat healthy snacks at regular times between meals.
   2. Make every meal well-balanced. As much as possible, plan for every meal to have the right mix of starches, fruits and vegetables, proteins, and fats.
   3. Eat the right amount of foods. Learn what portion size is appropriate for each type of food. Use measuring cups or a scale to ensure proper portion size.
   4. Coordinate your meals and medication. Too little food in comparison to your diabetes medications — especially insulin — may result in dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Too much food may cause your blood sugar level to climb too high (hyperglycemia).
2. Exercise – Physical activity is another important part of your diabetes management plan. When you exercise, your muscles use sugar (glucose) for energy. Regular physical activity also improves your body’s response to insulin.
   1. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan. Ask your doctor about what type of exercise is appropriate for you. He or she can recommend the right balance of aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise.
   2. Check your blood sugar level. Check your blood sugar level before, during and after exercise, especially if you take insulin or medications that lower blood sugar.
   3. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water while exercising because dehydration can affect blood sugar levels.
   4. Be prepared. Always have a small snack or glucose pill with you during exercise in case your blood sugar drops too low.
3. Medication – Insulin and other diabetes medications are designed to lower your blood sugar level when diet and exercise alone aren’t sufficient for managing diabetes. But the effectiveness of these medications depends on the timing and size of the dose.
   1. Store insulin properly. Insulin that’s improperly stored or past its expiration date may not be effective.
   2. Report problems to your doctor. If your diabetes medications cause your blood sugar level to drop too low, the dosage or timing may need to be adjusted.
   3. Be cautious with new medications. If you’re considering an over-the-counter medication or your doctor prescribes a new drug to treat another condition — such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol — ask your doctor or pharmacist if the medication may affect your blood sugar level.

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About Peninsula Home Care

Providing skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy for more than 30 years, Peninsula Home Care ensures that all patients are involved in their plan of care and strives to give them every opportunity to maintain their independence in the home. The agency has served more than 50,000 patients in Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties in Maryland and Sussex and Kent counties in Delaware. In 2017, PHC and PHCN were designated as Preferred Home Care Provider by Peninsula Regional Medical Center and Nanticoke Health Services.