People with diabetes need to consistently monitor their diet, lifestyle and glucose levels.

People who have been living with diabetes for some time usually have their own daily routines for doing this. They may need reminding, for example, to check their blood sugar levels at the appropriate time(s), especially if they are inclined to forget. 

These are some of the key things to know about daily care…

Blood sugar levels

Is a daily record being kept?

Individuals (particularly with type 1) need to monitor and keep records of their blood sugar levels to ensure they are healthy. The levels will change throughout the day. They are impacted by exercise, medication, meals and how an individual feels. 

An individual maybe working with a specialist to look for patterns and in this case, it is essential that records are kept for sharing with the specialist at the agreed time(s).

Stress

Stress can affect blood sugar levels.

Activities that reduce stress will help. These can include walking, listening to music, breathing exercises, meditation or engaging in a hobby.

Mouth care

Mouth problems are more likely for people with diabetes.

Brushing with a soft-bristled brush after every meal is recommended alongside daily flossing. Things to look out for are gum disease, fungus and dry mouth.

Toenails

Ingrown toenails can lead to problems, for example, infections.

Check toenails regularly for signs of infection or swelling. Nail clippers should be used to cut toenails. Always trim straight across, then smooth with a nail file or emery board. Don’t round off the corners as this can cause ingrown toenails. We cover foot care again in more detail later in this course.

Washing

Look out for dry skin, cuts, sores, calluses and blisters.

People with diabetes may not feel sores or other problems in the same way as people without diabetes. Skin should be checked on a daily basis, especially the feet. Corns and calluses can be smoothed with a pumice stone or emery board. Check daily to make sure any issues are healing properly.

Mild soap and warm water (not hot) is recommended for washing in to prevent dry skin. Foot soaking can also cause dry skin. Make sure attention is paid to drying between the toes. The individual’s doctor may have prescribed or approved a specific moisturiser to help with dry skin.

Footwear

People with diabetes should avoid wearing open shoes or going barefoot.

That’s not always much fun but these are the recommendations for safety. Socks shouldn’t be too tight as this could restrict blood circulation.

New shoes should be worn for short periods then check for damage from blisters or cuts. Don’t pop blisters. Wash them with soap and water. An approved cream can be used but if it doesn’t heal within a few days then the doctor may need to be called for further advice.

Food and drink

It is recommended to eat meals at the same time every day.

An individual may be following a specific meal plan. It is not recommended to miss meals as this can lead to dangerous changes in blood glucose levels. Healthy snacks can be taken between meals.

Drinking plenty of fluids is also important, for example, sugar free and caffeine free drinks like water and herbal teas.

By carefully managing diabetes, the risk of complications can be reduced and individuals can be supported to live well.

Assistive technology is advancing to support people to manage diabetes.

Keep an eye out for advancements in technology as there will always be useful innovations in development which may be made available in the future to improve the quality of life. Some examples are: