 | Pam Pirotte was raised in Wichita and received her Masters in Nursing from WSU. She was a nursing educator as well as a bedside nurse until 1986, when care in the home became her focus. Pam considers this the most rewarding field available to nursing personnel. The relationships are positive and precious. “People appreciate us for keeping them in their own homes.” Pam lives with her husband, donkeys, ducks, chickens, geese, goats, dogs and cats, near Leon, Kansas. Saint Raphael Home Care is located at 903 West 18th, Wichita, KS 67203, and Pam can be reached at 316-269-5400. |
Senior Living
2007-09-01 09:59:00
How to keep track of Diabetes
Question: I am newly diagnosed with Diabetes. How can I keep track of medicine, food restrictions, and schedule?
Answer: Whenever a person is taking medication to control blood sugar, she should keep these things in mind:
1. The medicine always lowers blood sugar.
• Your food intake must “dance” with your hypoglycemic agent.
• If the food consumed is not enough to balance the medicine taken a low sugar episode will occur.
• Unplanned exercise (a long walk, chasing a child, etc.) can result in an episode of low blood sugar.
• Low blood sugar can be fatal. The victim becomes unable to think or act on her own behalf when blood sugar goes too low.
• Always carry food in case of such an event.
• Eat at least 6 small meals per day (every 2 hours) about 250 calories for women, 300 calories for men. (Adjust up or down according to individual need).
2. You must
determine, by careful observation, a level of balance for yourself.
• Blood sugar beyond normal range (maximum of 120) harms the heart, blood vessels, kidneys and eyesight.
• Diabetic instructional guides or professionals, who say that now diabetics can have ice cream and other sweets, are misleading their clients.
• Every diabetic meal or snack should consist of protein (fish, chicken, beef, pork, egg, cheese) and complex carbohydrates (unprocessed vegetables and whole grains).
• Fats are usually adequate, either within the protein source or salad dressing.
• These proper foods result in gradual blood sugar elevation (a good thing).
• When you are eating every 2 hours, you are never full and never hungry (a good thing).
• “If it’s white, don’t eat it!”
Refined carbohydrates (all sugar, all purpose flour, rice, potatoes) cause sharp sugar elevations (a bad thing).
• Fruit and fruit juices are not good for diabetics.
• Very small amounts of fruit (1/4 of an apple) with a protein source (cottage cheese, etc.) may be eaten.
• When blood sugar is controlled the complications of Diabetes are avoided.
• Eating like a diabetic person should eat, is good for anybody—everybody. It isn’t a punishment.
• Good Health!
