Open the menu for diabetic patients. Previously had blood sugar levels of 700, went into shock and was admitted to the ICU. Currently, he can control his blood sugar levels by himself.
Diabetes is a condition in which the body has a higher than normal blood sugar level, which is caused by abnormalities in the production or function of the hormone insulin. As a result, the body cannot use sugar for energy efficiently. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, etc. When you have diabetes, adjusting your eating habits and lifestyle is the key to controlling and preventing diabetes.
When I had the opportunity to talk to a diabetic patient. Mr. Upakorn Jiraphanthu, Secretary of the Diabetes Club, Chulalongkorn Hospital, Special Lecturer, Chitralada Technology Institute + Former Assistant Director, Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST), who is a type 1 diabetic patient in less than 1 year, after previously having an annual health check-up and never having a blood sugar level above the standard.
Blood sugar levels spike within 10 months
Normally, Mr. Upakorn Jiraphanthu has discipline in taking care of his health by going for regular health check-ups every year. In 2019, in February, he went for a health check-up like every year. At that time, his sugar level was normal. But later in November of the same year, his blood sugar level shot up to 700 milligrams per deciliter, which is considered very high blood sugar, and he became a diabetic patient even though he did not have any risky behaviors.
“The warning signs at that time were frequent urination, inability to hold it in, and weight loss. We didn’t know that this was a sign of diabetes because we had never been at risk before. So we didn’t pay much attention. Normally, I don’t eat much sweets. But I guess that at that time, I had to travel to teach in Pattaya. I went in the morning and returned in the evening. I was afraid of getting sleepy while driving, so I drank coffee. Even though I told him to reduce the sweetness, when I drank a lot of coffee, it bothered my stomach.
For other meals, I drank soda. I did that for a month. The day I went to see the doctor, my blood sugar level was 700. The doctor who examined me at that time was an internal medicine doctor. So the doctor recommended that I come back to the hospital the next day to see a diabetes doctor. But when I went home, I was shocked. I had to be sent to the ICU at a private hospital near my house immediately. I stayed in the ICU for about 2-3 days. And from then on, I’ve been injecting insulin all the time because I have type 1 diabetes, which means my pancreas can no longer function.”
Morning and evening, what do diabetic patients eat?
Making these behavioral changes not only helps keep your blood sugar levels in check, but also reduces your risk of complications and promotes overall health.
“For breakfast, I don’t eat a lot. 1-1.5 slices of whole wheat bread, topped with meat such as boiled chicken, but if I can’t find any, I use sausage or bacon, which the doctor doesn’t recommend. For drinks , I use black coffee with no sugar or sweetness added. For fruits, I have a mix of 1/8 dragon fruit, 1/4 green apple, avocado, or sometimes I add strawberries to add flavor.
Lunch: Eat a regular vegetable salad, choose a low-sugar dressing, add some meat, sometimes chicken or pork steak for protein, or sometimes have a piece of whole wheat bread.
Dinner is a normal meal because I eat with my family. I eat 1 and a half cups of rice, or the same amount as a cup of yogurt. If it’s white rice, I have to reduce the amount. I eat it with normal side dishes, but I mostly focus on vegetables because my family knows.
Things to watch out for are starchy foods, rice, fruits, and some vegetables, such as root vegetables. I don’t eat pumpkin at all because it’s starch that will later turn into sugar.”
Morning and evening exercise plan
Exercise is another way to take care of yourself for people with diabetes. You have to set a clear time and type of exercise for yourself.
“After breakfast, I will walk around the village, about 2 kg per round, 2 rounds. Then I go to the gym to lift weights and build muscle, lifting weights for about 20 minutes. But some days I don’t walk, I will ride a bike or swim. Swimming is very good because it has no impact. But later I had to wear a sensor to monitor my sugar สนใจสมัคร? คลิกที่นี่เพื่อเริ่มต้น level. It is an implant under the skin, so swimming is not convenient. During the day, if I go to teach, I will walk around the building, walk up and down the stairs. In the evening, I try to walk after eating.”
It must be admitted that changing behavior in terms of eating, exercising, and resting was difficult at first. It took a year to start understanding and getting used to it. But Mr. Upakorn said that what is harder than food and exercise is controlling your emotions. Because if we are stressed or too strict with changing our behavior, that stress will immediately affect our blood sugar levels. Even when sitting in front of a computer screen. Therefore, I would like to recommend that all diabetic patients do not take it too seriously. We should be careful, but do not be too stressed. Because most diabetic patients do not realize that their emotions affect their sugar levels.
At present, Khun Upasak has a sensor device placed under his skin to monitor his blood sugar level in order to calculate insulin injections and food intake. The doctor has determined Khun Upasak’s blood sugar level to be in the range of 80-180 milligrams per deciliter. It should not be too high or too low because sometimes if his blood sugar level is too low, it can cause a drop in blood sugar level, which is more dangerous than a high blood sugar level.