You’re juggling meals, medications, appointments, and blood sugar checks, all while trying to keep life running smoothly for someone else. Sound familiar? When you’re supporting someone with diabetes, the responsibilities can quickly pile up. And unlike a short-term illness, diabetes care never really takes a break.
It often starts with little things. A missed medication dose here, a skipped meal there. Maybe the fridge is filled with food that doesn’t match the diet they’re supposed to follow. Or maybe you notice them feeling more tired, more forgetful, less steady. If someone you love is living with diabetes, you probably already know how quickly these small details can turn into major concerns.
Hiccupping. Itching. Changes in appetite and sleep. These are just some of the seemingly innocuous red flags that might perhaps suggest kidney disease. And with as many as 20 million people in the United States alone managing the disease, plus many more who have not yet been diagnosed, it’s crucial that individuals experiencing these symptoms bring them to the attention of the health care provider.
The holiday season is a perfect time to reconnect with friends and family, but let’s be realistic: it can also be a time for overindulgence in unhealthy meal choices. With a multitude of rich, fatty, and sugary delicacies to choose from at every turn, it’s difficult to adhere to a healthy diabetic diet, which can result in significant health concerns for individuals with diabetes.