Diabetes is a condition marked by increased blood sugar levels.  There are two types of diabetes – Type I and Type II. Even though diabetes is categorized as a global pandemic, the sad reality is that there is still no cure for diabetes. But the good news is that there are some home remedies for diabetes. Read on to learn ways to keep diabetes in check

Warning Signs Of Low Blood Sugar

Let’s look at some of the symptoms of low blood sugar and how to avoid them by following some home remedies for diabetes.  A decrease in blood sugar levels can cause both short-term complications, as well as more severe issues. Low blood sugar symptoms include:

1. Dizziness

The sudden drop in blood sugar levels can make you feel dizzy. So, when you feel you are going to faint, sit or lie down immediately to avoid injuring yourself. Low blood sugar can cause light-headedness. Seek medical help if needed.

2. Blurry Vision

If your vision suddenly becomes blurry or dim, a drop in blood sugar may be the reason. Blurred vision is the one of most common eye-related symptoms followed by dimness in sight 

3. Restless Nights

Nocturnal hypoglycemia, which is very common, can cause several sleep disturbances. Symptoms include night sweats, nightmares, episodes of waking suddenly, and feelings of unrest and confusion upon waking. 

4. Unceasing Hunger

If you’ve already eaten but still aren’t satisfied, or if you suddenly feel unexplained hunger pangs, then it’s your body signaling that it needs more glucose. An increase in appetite is caused by hypoglycemia, You can manage your blood sugar by intaking food rich in carbohydrates.

5. Sweating

Sweating is usually one of the earliest signs of hypoglycemia. Excessive perspiration is a common sign of diabetes. Excessive sweating comes on without warning, regardless of the external temperature. Avoid hot and spicy foods and also alcoholic drinks during the hours before bed to reduce night sweats.

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6. Slurred Speech

When your body is running low on sugar, then you will feel difficulty in speaking or in understanding speech.

7. Irritability or Anxiety

When glucose levels fall too low, your body releases epinephrine (also known as adrenaline), which signals the liver to make more sugar. The excess epinephrine creates an “adrenaline rush,” which can cause feelings of anxiety and related symptoms, such as shakiness, sweating, and heart palpitations.

8. Shakes and Tremors

When glucose levels are off balance, your nervous system starts to malfunction. Your body will start to tremble and you feel tremors or weakness in your arms and legs.

9. Mood swings

Mood swings are connected to sudden emotional episodes including indescribable crying, intense anger, and feelings of depression are symptoms of low blood sugar.

10. Mental Confusion

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause brain fog and behaviour changes. When there is a drop in glucose, you may experience a sense of confusion and an inability to concentrate on one thing at a time. The brain relies on blood sugar for energy, so if there’s a drop in glucose, your brain may not perform properly. 

What Foods should you avoid? 

Along with following home remedies for diabetes. Here are 9 foods to avoid if you are suffering from diabetes.

1. Dry Fruits

Vitamin and mineral contents are higher in fruits. Dry fruits have high sugar which can increase your blood sugar level. To keep diabetes in check, you should eat fruits with a low glycemic index and be mindful of portion size.

2. Trans-fat

Unsaturated fats, or trans fats, can be found in both natural and unnatural forms.

People with diabetes should strictly avoid trans-fat as it increases cholesterol levels and increases the risk of heart disease. It’s advisable to replace processed meats with leaner, more natural protein choices, such as chicken, turkey, tuna, or hard-boiled eggs.

3. High-Carb Foods

Consuming high-carb foods increase your blood glucose levels. French fries, bread, potatoes, muffins, cakes, cookies, spaghetti, hamburgers, chips, rice, and sweetened yoghurt are a few examples of high-carb foods. People with high blood sugar should avoid high-carb foods as they don’t have any nutritional value.

4. Processed Foods

 Processed foods contain high levels of fats, sugar, and sodium. People with diabetes should avoid processed foods as they lack nutritional value and most of the nutrients get removed during the processing of food. Processed food contains a number of chemical ingredients and flavouring agents which can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels.

5. Refined or White Sugar

Sugary foods, sweets, like doughnuts, candy bars, chocolate, maple syrup, desserts, and fruit-flavored yoghurts have high sugar content and desserts constitute sugar and high carbs which increases your blood sugar levels. Therefore, look for a healthy sugar substitute to keep your diabetes in check.

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6. Starchy Vegetables

Vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, beetroot, etc are high in starch, but diabetic patients should avoid them as these vegetables are rich in carbs and sugar. Consuming these foods increases the risk of high blood sugar. Be mindful of your portion sizes when eating starchy veggies if you have diabetes.

7. High-protein Foods

Protein is required by the body to grow and repair muscles and to maintain essential bodily processes. But animal-derived proteins also come with unsaturated fats, which raise blood sugar levels. High-protein foods made from animals, such as chicken, beef, and pork, have little fibre, therefore spike blood glucose levels.

8. Dairy Products

All dairy products have calcium, proteins, and vitamins that keep you healthy. In addition to these, dairy products contain a sugar called lactose which breaks down into lactic acid. People with diabetes should stay away from dairy products with high-fat content as it increases the risk of heart disease.

9. Bakery Products

Refined flour is the primary ingredient in all bakery products which increases the calorie content of bakery goods, making them unsuitable for diabetic patients. When people with diabetes eat too many carbs, their blood sugar levels may spike and become dangerously high. Hence people with diabetes should include healthier options in their diet.

WAYS TO LOWER YOUR DIABETES RISK

There are certain effective home remedies for diabetes that can help you control your sugar levels. Following are the three home remedies for diabetes you can incorporate at home.

TIP 1#  Follow a balanced diet

Following a proper diabetic diet is one of the most effective home remedies for diabetes. A diabetic diet refers to a diet that includes foods that are low in carbs, foods with a lower glycemic index, and high-fiber foods. Consuming these food items will ensure that the blood sugar levels do not spike. Likewise, opting for foods such as barley, lentils, legumes, seafood, etc with low glycemic index can help you maintain lower blood sugar levels.

TIP 2#Regular Exercise

Exercising regularly can help you to lose weight and also increase insulin sensitivity in your body. This implies that your body would be more able to utilize the sugar in your bloodstream. Doing daily exercise is the second home remedy for diabetes .

TIP 3#Control your Stress Levels

 If you want to control your blood sugar, then it is important to keep your stress under control. Activities like Yoga, meditation, and regular exercise can help you to keep stress levels low which also helps to lower your blood sugar levels.

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Conclusion

Diabetes is a complicated medical condition, and many factors may affect the blood glucose level. It is always good to consult a doctor for the proper diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. Following the above-mentioned home remedies for diabetes can improve your overall well-being drastically. Additionally, solutions like Dhathri Diavita Plus can also offer valuable support in managing diabetes effectively.