Diabetes adalah kondisi medis yang dapat menyebabkan tingkat glukosa darah meningkat dan menurun secara tidak stabil. Salah satu cara untuk mengantisipasi penurunan tingkat glukosa darah adalah dengan memahami bagaimana makanan dan aktivitas kita dapat mempengaruhi kondisi tersebut.

Bekerja dengan Ahli Gizi

Dalam mengembangkan rencana makanan, Anda dapat bekerja sama dengan ahli gizi yang berkompeten. Mereka dapat membantu Anda membuat rencana makanan yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan Anda dan memungkinkan Anda untuk mengetahui bagaimana makanan tersebut dapat mempengaruhi tingkat glukosa darah.

Berat Badan

Losing weight can help your body use insulin better. If you need to lose weight, talk with your doctor about a weight loss program that's right for you.

Counting Carbohydrates

Carb counting helps you keep track of how many carbohydrates you're consuming. Setting a maximum amount for each meal can help stabilize blood sugar. Check out the American Diabetes Association (ADA) resources on counting carbs and guidebook "Choose Your Foods: Count Your Carbs," which is available for purchase on the ADA online store.

Glycemic Index

Not all carbs are created equal. The glycemic index (GI) measures how different carbs may affect blood sugar. Foods with a high GI rating can affect blood sugar more than those with a lower rating. You can search for low GI foods through GlycemicIndex.com, from the University of Sydney.

Resep Sehat

Find healthy recipes or an online meal planning tool to help you manage your blood sugar levels. You can try the "diabetes plate method."

Portion Control

Measure your portions: A kitchen food scale can help you measure your portions better.

Bergerak

Exercising regularly and limiting your time spent sitting can help keep your blood sugar levels in check. Try going on walks, taking a fun exercise class, or integrating exercise into activities you already do — like lifting weights while watching your favorite show. Walk after a meal: Walking for about 15 minutes after a meal may help manage blood glucose levels in people with diabetes.

Komplikasi Diabetes

Long-term diabetes complications typically result from having elevated blood sugar levels over a long period of time. Diabetes complications may develop slowly over the course of many years before symptoms appear. Chronic high blood sugar increases the likelihood of serious diabetes complications like:

  • Heart disease
  • Blindness (diabetic retinopathy)
  • Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy)
  • Kidney failure (diabetic nephropathy)

Untreated high blood sugar could also develop into ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition that can lead to diabetic coma or death.

Penyakit Mata

People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing eye problems, including:

  • Cataracts
  • Retinopathy
  • Glaucoma

Cataract is a thickening and clouding of the lens of the eye that can make your vision blurry and impair night vision. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the retina from abnormal growth of small blood vessels, which are believed to be related to untreated high blood sugar levels over a long period of time. Symptoms might not appear at first but can eventually lead to blindness.

Penyakit Ginjal

Diabetic nephropathy is a progressive kidney disease in which the kidneys, which are responsible for filtering the body's waste, stop functioning. It happens when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. You may not have symptoms in the early stages of kidney disease, but it can eventually progress to kidney failure.

Penyakit Saraf

Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, is a serious complication of diabetes. It's caused by high blood sugar levels over a long period of time. Symptoms typically appear gradually and develop over the course of decades.

Penyakit Jantung dan Pembuluh Darah

Over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves in your heart. People with diabetes also have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke. Untreated high blood sugar can also block blood vessels. This can lead to infections and foot ulcers. In serious cases, it can lead to amputation of a toe, foot, or lower leg.

Penyakit Gusi

People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing gum disease, also called periodontal disease. High blood sugar levels can lead to an increased amount of sugar in the mouth, affecting overall oral health. People with diabetes are more likely to produce more plaque, have less saliva, and have poorer circulation in the gums.

Dengan memahami bagaimana makanan dan aktivitas kita dapat mempengaruhi tingkat glukosa darah, kita dapat membuat perubahan yang positif dalam hidup kita dan menghindari komplikasi diabetes.