Healthy living: What are the Winter care tips for diabetics

“The recurring waves of the epidemic have diverted vital health resources to address the next challenge. As a result, other major diseases such as diabetes, which according to a report by the International Diabetes Federation, affect more than 537 million adults worldwide, go unnoticed. To a large extent, our attention span on diabetes management is also declining, and many patients are compensating for Covid fatigue with unhealthy lifestyle habits, "said Dr. Banshi Saboo, Chairman of Diacare Diabetes Hormone Clinic Ahmedabad, secretary of Diabetes India and Dr. Amit Gupta. , Greater Noida and Co-Secretary of Diabetes India. Experts add that India is about to become the world's largest diabetic, with a population of 74 million people. “National Family Health Survey-5 indicates that 17.1 percent of Indian adults suffer from high blood sugar levels and need medication to control it. "The most common non-communicable disease is a health disorder, in which the blood sugar level rises due to an inability to produce or use insulin properly," they said. Epidemic or not, diabetic patients need to be extra vigilant, during the winter. Common challenges that people with diabetes face in the winter. With a drop in temperature, blood sugar levels (HbA1C i.e. a three-month average blood sugar levels and random blood sugar levels) tend to rise during the winter months. Eating luxury foods (rich in carbohydrates and sugar) increases in winter and leads to elevated blood sugar levels. “Winter morning cold exercise is difficult. Living a sedentary lifestyle can raise blood sugar levels as the body is unable to process glucose. In addition, in winter, people feel thirsty, and as a result, their fluids drop rapidly. This leads to high blood sugar levels and increases urination which leads to dehydration, ”they explain. What should people with diabetes do? Since winter is a time for diabetics to take extra care of their health, the following tips are recommended, as suggested by Dr Saboo and Dr Gupta: Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels: People with diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar regularly and keep a glucometer close. Check your fasting, postprandial levels, and random blood sugar levels from time to time. Enhance new apps and devices like the BeatO Curv glucometer and other monitoring devices like the Abbott FreeStyle Libre continuous monitoring glucometer that helps you record and save readings so that if you need to consult your doctor about those records. Take care of your feet: It is estimated that about 10 to 15 percent of people with uncontrolled diabetes should see a doctor for foot ulcers or infections, which can be very serious and need to be amputated. Therefore, people with diabetes should pay attention to their feet by wearing well-fitting socks and shoes and providing the necessary care for their feet. And the skin is often dry due to low humidity in cold weather, and it is prone to cracks and infections. Apply a good moisturizer to protect dry skin. Hydration: It is important for everyone, especially patients with diabetes, to keep them hydrated. If people spend a lot of time indoors in a warm environment because of indoor heating, it is very important to drink water; as indoor heaters absorb moisture from the air which can cause fluctuations in body temperature.