| There are millions of diabetics living in the United | | | | 4. The hospital dietician will take the information |
| States today. The good news is that many are | | | | you give upon admission (along with instructions |
| able to live long and healthy lives as long as they | | | | from your doctor) and design a diabetic-friendly |
| adhere to dietary and lifestyle requirements along | | | | menu for you to choose from, for your meals. It |
| with medication, if needed. | | | | is in your best interest to adhere to this diet even |
| The trouble can come in when a person with | | | | if it is stricter than what you follow at home. Your |
| diabetes is admitted to a hospital, either for | | | | medical team is working in concert to try and help |
| surgery or treatment for another illness. The | | | | you heal quickly and safely. |
| diabetic hospital patient needs to take the reins in | | | | 5. Take a couple of pairs of diabetic socks with |
| helping to keep their hospital visit as short and | | | | you to the hospital. Though most hospitals do |
| incident-free as possible. With that aim in mind, I | | | | have pressure socks that they use to improve |
| have compiled the following list of tips directly | | | | after-surgery circulation and cut down on blood |
| from hospital caregivers: | | | | clots, it is best to have your own available, just in |
| 1. A week or so before a surgery or other | | | | case. You can find diabetic socks at most |
| planned hospital stay, contact the hospital | | | | pharmacies and, sometimes, even in the hospital |
| admissions department (you can do this over the | | | | gift shop! |
| phone) and have them complete most of your | | | | 6. Bring your medications (all of them) to the |
| admissions information at that time. Be sure and | | | | hospital with you. Upon admission, they will be |
| state that you are a diabetic and whether or not | | | | taken away from you but then re-prescribed to |
| you are required to take insulin. (Even if you are a | | | | you after your doctors have reviewed what you |
| mild diabetic and controlling your disease with diet | | | | are currently taking. |
| and lifestyle changes, you need to tell them, | | | | 7. Don't cross your ankles or legs while in bed, |
| anyway). Tell them what kind of diabetes you | | | | especially if you are going to be there for awhile. |
| have (Type 1, Type 2, etc) and whether or not | | | | Crossing your ankles or legs restricts blood flow |
| you have any other complications arising from | | | | and for diabetics, that can be a huge problem. |
| your diabetes (eyesight problems, poor circulation, | | | | Also, be sure and take very good care of your |
| etc). | | | | feet. Mention any foot problems to your doctor |
| 2. Upon admission, make sure you restate that | | | | or nurse as these kinds of issues can turn deadly |
| you have diabetes and that this information is | | | | very quickly for a diabetic. |
| included on your hospital bracelet. | | | | In conclusion, hospital visits don't have to be |
| 3. Any and all caregivers you come in contact | | | | especially problematic for diabetics as long as the |
| with (doctors, nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists) | | | | patient and his or her family members take a |
| must also be informed of your diabetic condition. | | | | pro-active role in their care and comfort. Another |
| Do NOT assume that they will know this from | | | | good resource for tips for diabetics is the National |
| reading your chart. This is important and will help | | | | Diabetic Association web site. |
| cut down on the possibility of a drug reaction. | | | | |