Diabetes & Diwali
Diwali and Diabetes
Diwali the festival of lights is here. It’s also the time when food is in abundance especially sweets and offered to all. So with the wealth of rich food available it can be very taxing time for a diabetic to keep his blood sugar in control. A maximum number of diabetics come with haywire blood sugars post Diwali.
So for those of us whom will power does not come easily here are some tips for enjoying sensible eating at Diwali.
Commit yourself to a food plan. It is very easy to get carried away by what is on the table .To reduce this from happening plan how much you intend to eat and what to eat and make a point sticking to the meal plan. Keep to your routine meals as much as possible as it will prevent unnecessary snacking. Avoid feeling hungry for long. When you are hungry you tend to over eat. One way to avoid being ravenous is to break the delay. Protein and non starchy vegetables based premeal snacks are a good choice as they are filling and slowly broken down.
Have a glass of water before eating, it’s a very effective way of reducing your food intake and reduces appetite.
Have food in a small plate. It gives a fuller look with less amount of food. Again base your meals with non starchy vegetables .Make sure vegetables account for a good portion of your plate.
Eat gradually and slowly. Eating with family is a nice occasion but if you are a fast eater it can make you tempted for additional helpings and adding to your overall calorie intake.
Don’t feel guilty or shy about turning offers down. Any food you eat is going to end in your blood and so don’t feel shy about turning food down especially the sweet ones.
Go very easy on the sweets. One can be forgiven for indulging every once in a while. So if you cannot resist the sweet, keep the serving small and sensible. Once again apply the rule about eating gradually.
If temptation is too much to have a sweet dish, try fresh fruits. Fresh fruit mixed with yoghurt and frozen can be a good replacement for the Rabidi or Jalebi or ice cream. Try using sugar free sweeteners in a limited amount in your sweets but remember every thing has calories and just because you have used artificial sweeteners does not give you the liberty to have unlimited amounts.
After and between meals put food under cover. Food that is exposed grabs the eye tempting to small unwanted indulgency .Apply the rule out of sight is out of mind.
Try to increase your physical activity as this is a good way of utilizing those extra calories that you may have indulged in.
Remember to take your medications .With family and friends around and the excitement of festival should not make you miss your insulin shot or regular medications.
Continue regular checking of your blood sugars to make you aware of your indulgences,
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Finally Diwali is not just about sweets, it’s about family and friends. Enjoy your time with family doing things that you love the best.
Have a happy and safe Diwali…………….Dr Vinood Methil.
Eye Health & Diabetes
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disorder caused by long standing diabetes. It affects inner eye called retina. Diabetic retinopathy can affect all diabetics and increase the risk of blindness if it is left untreated.
What are the symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?
Early retinopathy without symptoms
Blurred vision
Double vision
Eye floaters
What are the risk factors for developing Diabetic Retinopathy?
Uncontrolled blood sugars
High blood pressure
Protein urea
Can Diabetic Retinopathy be prevented?
Yes, Good glycemic control and regular eye check up [Fundoscopy] can detect diabetic retinopathy at an early stage. Through Fundoscopic examination inner eye[Retina] can be visualized in detail and suitable treatment can be recommended. This is the most accurate available examination of retina.
Why is it required to undergo Fundoscopy in Diabetes?
Diabetes affects inner eye[Retina].Routine eye check up cannot reach and visualize retina. Fundoscopy is the only method by which we can visualize retina and the surrounding vasculature.
Medical conditions like retinal hemorrhages, retinal detachment can be detected through Fundoscopy.
Diabetic Nephropathy
What is Albumin Creatinine Ratio [ACR]
It is ratio of albumin and creatinine in urine excretion.
What is the importance of ACR in management of Diabetes?
Raised ACR is an indicator of Kidney dysfunction in Diabetes. Normally no protein is excreted in urine. Presence of protein in urine without any Urinary Tract Infection is a indicator of Kidney pathology like Diabetic or Hypertensive Nephropathy.
ACR is the most accurate and preferred method of detecting Diabetic Nephropathy
What is the normal level of ACR?
Less than 30mg/g is the normal level
What is the ideal frequency of doing ACR levels?
Once a year
How can I reduce my ACR levels?
- Controlling blood sugar & blood pressure levels
- Diet control
Contact us
Manage your Diabetes with best in class one stop diabetes management clinic in Navi Mumbai
Diabetic Foot
Commonest complication of Diabetes
Foot ulcers are a common complication of poorly controlled diabetes, forming as a result of skin tissue breaking down and exposing the layers underneath. Sometimes it affects your feet bones. Due to development of neuropathy and vasculopathy, diabetic foot is more vulnerable for injuries, hence all diabetic patients need to take uttermost care of their feet. Diabetic patients are prone for fungal infections in web spaces, corns, callus, even small shoe bite can lead to foot amputations.
Proper foot care routine like self examination of foot , proper skin moisturization and well fitted shoe wear can save you from foot problems.
At our diabetic foot clinic , we have latest technology available to detect smallest change in foot architecture and vasculature. Following are the technology details
Biothesiometer
Loss of sensation due to neuropathy is the major cause of painless injuries to the feet. Hence early and accurate detection of sensation loss due to neuropathy is the best way to protect the feet from amputation. This is done by Vibratory Perception Test which is performed at a state of the art easy to operate Digital Vibratory Perception Threshold (VPT) Analysis System.
Podia Scan [Prescam]
This instrument produces Instantaneous and permanent high resolution colour image of the pressure distribution across the plantar surface of the foot. It can pick up slightest change in the pressure distribution .This equipment catches pressure change in static as well as dynamic state and produces mean pressure of around 300 foot images. By using this Podiatrist / Footwear designer can develop a suitable foot ware for the patient by off-loading the pressure points and ultimately save the limb.
Vascular Doppler
A common device for circulatory system testing, a Vascular Doppler examines the veins and arteries in the human body to check blood flow. SMARTDOP 30EX The Smartdop 30EX is a compact bidirectional vascular Doppler with automatic cuff inflator and computer interface. It automatically calculates Ankle Brachial Index and Toe Brachial Index results quickly and accurately. It has a real-time waveform LCD and integrated printer for documentation.
Thermal Scan
Detecting subtle changes in skin temperature distribution in diabetic-at-risk foot and is capable of early detection diabetic-related peripheral neuropathy and vascular disorders.
We also have customized footwear for Diabetic patients and offer wound dressing and nail cutting services for Diabetic patients . We have best Diabetic Foot Clinic in NAVI MUMBAI
Next Steps…
Sweet Clinics is the only Comprehensive Diabetes Care Clinic in Navi Mumbai.
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World Diabetes Day – 2017
On this World Diabetes Day,
let us Pledge to fight Diabetes & live a Healthy Life .
Join us on Sunday, 19th November
for interactive educational event hosted by Sweet Clinics