Diabetes Travel Tips and Travel Advice

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Are you travelling abroad or is there a change in your daily routine?

Changes in routine can present a number of difficulties from meal times to medication schedules. Job shift work can alter the body’s circadian rhythms which respond to natural daylight of sun and darkness of moon. Consequently, blood sugar levels can be affected thereby altering sleep timings which can lead to hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia. Changes in sleep or job shift times can also affect your eating pattern during the day.

Changing routines is a complex process and involves more than simply rearranging blocks of time. Daily routines influence the integration of diabetes self-management into daily life. A study showed that integrating diabetes self-management into daily life involves changing behaviours and learning new skills, both of which require modification of established routines. A key finding in a study mentions that modification of existing routines is often challenging because routines become habits and are therefore undetectable to those needing to change them. A strong encouragement and support from family and friends can help overcome this issue.

Diabetes and travel advice

General travel tips for Diabetics :-

  • Patients should pack more test strips, insulin, syringes, pens and other diabetes equipment than they will need for the trip.
  • They should also pack a spare glucose meter in case of loss or damage.
  • They should have a written note on details of emergency contacts.
  • If flying, insulin, syringes/pens and testing equipment should be kept and divided between two pieces of hand luggage.
  • To help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and to make the trip more comfortable, patients are advised to move about the cabin and do the chair-based exercises regularly.
  • If the patient is travelling overseas, he/she must make be prepared for different foods, changes in time zones and extreme climates as well as being prepared for mishaps such as delays and misplaced baggage. Planning a trip for a person with diabetes is important.

Doctors must advise patients that it is healthier to prepare home cooked meals in advance to ensure they are eating nutritious food. Planning meals days in advance can be used so they are not rushing to cook food in-between shifts.
Advise them to bring their own healthy snacks to work rather than buying something processed from a shop or a vending machine.

Patient should always be prepared to treat low glucose while travelling as travelling may disrupt their normal routine for both eating and dosing insulin. Patients should pack extra diabetes supplies and keep it handy, so that they could easily access it when required.

If you like this tips and advice, share them with your fiends.

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Role of Spices for Diabetes Control

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Role of Spices for Diabetes Control :-

The use of spices and herbs should be a part of patient’s nutritional diet plan as they have demonstrated their effectiveness in
lowering blood glucose, boosting insulin sensitivity, reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol, etc.

When spices are consumed in moderation, health benefits can be derived, however, an overdose of any spice can lead to indigestion or even ulcers. Black pepper aids in digestion, congestion, an upset stomach and can also help stop the bleeding on a cut when applied topically. It also has all the essential nutrient contents. It promotes weight loss and relieves toothache.

Spices for diabetes control

So here is list of few spices and their benefits in combating diabetes and blood sugar levels :

  • Clove –

An equivalent of one or two cloves per day helps to improve cardiovascular anddiabetes risk factors in T2DM.

  • Cinnamon –

High levels of circulating insulin can lead to many of the secondary signs of diabetes such as nerve, kidney and eye problems as well as build-up of plaque in the arteries. Cinnamon increases insulin efficiency and hence is very helpful in diabetes.

  • Ginger –

Ginger is a very famous herb known for its intense flavor and warming aroma. A clinical study showed that ginger increases insulin sensitivity and affecting carbohydrates metabolism, thereby leading to greater glucose absorption in the muscles. Ginger also has the potential to help reduce the risk for diabetes complications due to its lipid-lowering effects.

  • Garlic –

Garlic has been recommended to help reduce high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure thereby reducing the incidence of heart disease. Raw garlic might be helping in diabetes control by reducing blood sugar levels as well as reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. This is particular interest as diabetes increases a person’s risk of atherosclerosis-related inflammation

  • Fenugreek Seeds –

The seeds contain fibre and other chemicals that may slow digestion and the body’s absorption of carbohydrates and sugar. A study showed that daily dose of 10 g of fenugreek seeds soaked in hot water may help control T2DM.Another study suggested that eating baked goods such as bread made with fenugreek flour may reduce insulin resistance in people with T2DM.

A quick guide to use spices :-

  • The recommended doses of turmeric by The University of Maryland’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine Guide are:
    – Cut root:1.5–3 g per day
    – Dried or powdered root:1–3 g per day
    – Fluid extract (1:1):30–90 drops per day
    – Tincture (1:2):15–30 drops, 4 times per day.
  • A pinch of turmeric on scrambled eggs, on top of roasted vegetables, rice, in soup or just to a plain glass of milk.
  • While preparing green tea, it is recommended to add ginger as it adds to the flavour as well
    as helps keep the upper respiratory tract clear.
    To prepare basil ginger tea: Take one cup of water, add 5 basil leaves, 3–4 ginger slices, 1 tsp tea leaves and 1/4 cup of milk. Boil for 5 minutes and remove from heat. Strain and 30 serve. Add honey (in moderation only) to replace sugar.
  • Soak a cinnamon stick in warm water and drink it with a drop of honey about two-three times a day,this helps soothe a scratchy throat
    Mix cloves, basil, cardamom and mint in tea and replace the sugar with honey. This drink will calm nerves and help de-stress.
  • Fenugreek seeds (methi dana): Soaked fenugreek seeds can be consumed on an empty stomach. This will help relieve acidity. Methi dana is excellent for regulating blood sugar. People with diabetes benefit a great deal from consuming fenugreek water. Sprouted
    fenugreek is even better as it has 30–40% more nutritive properties over soaked fenugreek seeds

Effectiveness of curcumin in diabetes :-

A study found that people with prediabetes who were given curcumin for a period of 9 months were less likely to develop the fullblown condition.

  • Controls blood sugar
  • Protects against diabetes
  • Improves function of β-cells that make insulin in the pancreas
  • May reduce diabetes-related complications: In a clinical study, researchers gave test subjects curcumin over a long period of time. As a result, these people appeared to have fewer symptoms of liver disorders. The compound curcumin was also reported to be active against diabetic vascular disease,and it seems to speed wound-healing

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Diabetes and Exercise

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Hello everyone!!!! Today let us discuss why exercise is a must in patients suffering from Diabetes Mellitus. There are many patients who come to me and ask that we are exhausted from daily activities and do not get time for workouts or walks. Let me tell you that our day to day activities like cooking, driving, walking small distances for casual work, cutting grass, standing for long hours in teacher profession and bus conductors does not count for exercise. Exercise purely means dedicating time for yourself so that you sweat out after workouts.

Diabetes and Exercise Fitness:

Diabetes and fitness goes hand in hand. Exercises and any kind of sports like cycling, biking, dancing, playing badminton, table tennis, jogging, brisk walks and climbing steps etc can help in daily workouts. One needs to workout at least half an hour to one hour daily.

Diabetes and exercise

Pathophysiology:

When we work out, the muscles need energy, fuel to be utilized for our workouts. So there is a lot of sugar/glucose being utilized by the muscles during exercise, which in turn is beneficial in controlling Diabetes and thus preventing its complications like cardiovascular disorders, hypertension and other chronic diseases. Aerobic exercises includes involvement of continuous movement of larger group of muscles. In type 1 diabetes aerobic exercise leads to increase in insulin sensitivity, oxidation of enzymes, compliance of blood vessels, pulmonary function and cardiac output. thus increasing the cardio respiratory fitness and decreases insulin resistance. In type 2 diabetes, aerobic exercise improves the cardiac output, reduces the triglycerides and cholesterol and improves the function of pancreas. Flexibility exercise leads to flexible movements of joints of the body. Flexibility and balance exercises are very important in elderly group of patients.

When a person sweats, there is loss of water fluids from the body. This results in decrease of fluids from the body which should be replenished with fruits and water. So a person suffering from diabetes must have meals at regular small intervals. Yoga can help in improvement of glycemic control, neuropathy symptoms, balance and also help people in controlling borderline Diabetes.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Sedentary Lifestyle hampers the overall activity of the person. This leads to poor glycemic control, obesity and poor metabolism. Prolonged sitting in one place must be avoided. It should be interrupted with intermittent walks every hour or two.

Diabetes in Elderly:

In elderly patients, one must exercise at least 3 to 4 times a week. This helps in utilizing the excess glucose in blood and thus controlling blood sugar levels and preventing further complications like retinopathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular diseases, foot problems like gangrene  hypertension and hypercholestremia. Resistance training includes body weights, cardio, lifting weights like dumbles which also helps in reducing sugar levels in our body. Exercise during fasting should be avoided as it will lower your glucose levels below normal which can lead to sudden collapse. Also walks or exercise post meals for 15 minutes can help improve your metabolism in diabetes.

Diabetes in pregnancy:

Diabetes during pregnancy usually occurs in 23 to 28 weeks approximately. Hence exercise during pregnancy is of utmost importance like yoga and meditation. Mild Exercises also help in maintaining the hypertension and help in normal delivery. You should consult your gynaecologist before starting such exercises in pregnancy.

So now we know the importance of exercise in our daily life. Hope everyone enjoyed exercising while reading which lead us one more step ahead for a healthy life style!!!!

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What are the steps of Self Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) ?

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Steps of Self Monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) :

The first step is to meet with a health Care professional (HCP). After identifying the characteristics and needs of the patient, the HCP will recommend a glucose meter, which one can buy at a drugstore, along with all the other materials necessary for self-monitoring: lancets (needles), a lancing device (to take blood), test strips and tissues.

Nowadays in current COVID-19 scenario you can also purchase it from online stores like amazon or flipkart etc.

Diabetic Educators must advice people with diabetes to monitor their blood glucose regularly by following the next steps:

  • Wash hands with soapy water and dry them well
  • Insert the test strip into the glucose meter
  • Insert the lancet into the lancing device
  • Prick the end of a finger (on the side)
  • Gently squeeze the end of the finger, if necessary
  • Apply the blood to the test strip
  • Wait a few seconds (the time varies by type of meter)
  • Read and write down the result in a logbook or store it in the glucose meter

glucose meter check

Choosing a Self monitoring of Blood Glucose or SMBG Device :-

When used and stored properly, blood glucose meters are generally accurate in how they measure glucose. They differ in the type and number of features they offer. Here are several factors to consider while choosing a blood glucometer:

  • Insurance coverage (if any)
  • Cost
  • Ease of use and maintenance
  • Special features
  • Information storage and retrieval
  • Support

 

Tips for successful Self Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) Teaching:-

It is recommended that one must check the accuracy of the meter’s readings at least once a year by comparing a fasting reading with a reading done at the same time in a laboratory. To avoid false readings, your test strips and glucose meter must be in good condition. Make sure that:

  • The expiry date printed on the test-strip container has not been reached or exceeded
  • The test-strip container was not left open after you took out a test strip
  • The test strips are in their original container
  • The test strips have been kept away from moisture, and stored at a temperature between 4° and 30°C
  • The test strips have not been contaminated by dust or other substances
  • There is no dust or dried blood on the opening of the test strip
  • The glucose meter has not been left in sunlight directly
  • The glucose meter has not been exposed to moisture, or to temperatures below 5° C or higher than 30° C
  • The glucose meter has not been dropped, or been in contact with a liquid

Important pointers for Diabetic Educators :

  • Explain factors that can affect glucose levels
  • Thoroughly explain the user techniques to measure blood glucose levels
  • Explain the people with diabetes regarding changes in meters or strips

In India , Where insurance do not cover diabetes and related purchases then cost of such monitoring is additional burden on people. still it is recommended to use self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) atleast in current pandemic scenario.

You can check out Dr. Nikhil Prabhu‘s Youtube video on how to use glucometer at home (Hindi) :

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& do subscribe to our Youtube Channel :- https://www.youtube.com/user/drnikhilprabhu

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