GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO A DIABETES PATIENT(ESPECIALLY TYPE-2)

1)Understanding the disease.

*Diabetes means your body is not able to use sugar properly,leading to high blood glucose levels.

*The aim of treatment is to keep your blood sugar close to normal to prevent long term complications affecting eyes, kidneys,nerves,heart and feet.

*It is a manageable condition,not a life sentence.

2)Diet and Nutrition.

*Eat small and frequent meals(3 major+2-3 small snacks).

*Avoid refined sugar,sweets,honey,jaggery,sugary drinks and desserts.

*Reduce Carbohydrates(especially white rice,maida and white bread)

*Eat plenty of vegetables,especially green leafy and non-starchy ones.

*Include protein in every meal(dal,sprouts,paneer,eggs,fish and chicken)

*Limit oil intake(avoid fried foods).Prefer olive oil,mustard oil or groundnut oil)

HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS QUIETLY AFFECTING YOUR CHILDS HEALTH

When we hear about climate change, we often think of melting glaciers, heatwaves, and rising sea levels. But what many parents don’t realize is that climate change is not just an environmental issue — it’s a child health issue. The effects are subtle, cumulative, and, unfortunately, already happening.

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1. Rising Temperatures and Heat-Related Illness

Children are more vulnerable to heat than adults. Their smaller bodies heat up faster and take longer to cool down.

In Indian cities where summer temperatures often cross 45°C, children are showing higher rates of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and fainting spells.

Prolonged heat can even affect concentration and school attendance, especially in areas without adequate cooling or shade.

What parents can do:

• Keep your child hydrated throughout the day.

• Limit outdoor play during peak afternoon hours.

• Dress them in light, breathable cotton clothes.

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2. Poor Air Quality and Respiratory Problems

Air pollution is one of the most visible effects of climate change — and one of the most harmful.

Higher temperatures worsen smog and increase pollen counts. Add to that vehicular emissions and industrial pollution, and you get a dangerous mix that aggravates asthma, allergies, and bronchitis in children.

What parents can do:

• Check daily air quality index (AQI) before outdoor play.

• Use air purifiers at home in high-pollution zones.

• Encourage deep-breathing exercises and indoor games on bad air days.

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3. New Infectious Diseases on the Rise

Changing rainfall patterns and warmer climates allow mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects to thrive in new areas.

This has led to the spread of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya in regions that were previously unaffected.

Similarly, unseasonal rains and floods increase waterborne diseases like typhoid and hepatitis A.

What parents can do:

• Prevent stagnant water near your home.

• Use mosquito repellents and window screens.

• Ensure safe drinking water and proper hand hygiene.

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3. New Infectious Diseases on the Rise

Changing rainfall patterns and warmer climates allow mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects to thrive in new areas.

This has led to the spread of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya in regions that were previously unaffected.

Similarly, unseasonal rains and floods increase waterborne diseases like typhoid and hepatitis A.

What parents can do:

• Prevent stagnant water near your home.

• Use mosquito repellents and window screens.

• Ensure safe drinking water and proper hand hygiene.

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4. Impact on Food and Nutrition

Climate stress affects crop production — reducing the availability of nutritious foods. Droughts and erratic rains can cause fluctuations in the price and supply of fruits, vegetables, and grains.

This indirectly leads to micronutrient deficiencies and poor growth among children, especially in lower-income communities.

What parents can do:

• Include diverse local foods and seasonal produce.

• Watch for signs of poor appetite or fatigue.

• Support community nutrition and kitchen-garden initiatives.

5. Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being

It’s not just the body — climate anxiety is real.

Children exposed to natural disasters, pollution, or frequent relocations can experience stress, fear, and insecurity. Even media coverage of disasters can cause anxiety in sensitive children.

Here’s what parents can do.

—Talk openly about environmental issues but with out creating fear.

—Encouraging activities like planting trees and conserving water.

So bottom line:Every action counts,because a healthy planet makes a healthy child.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR DIABETIS PATIENT(especially type-2 diabetes)

 

🩺 1. Understanding the Disease

• Diabetes means your body is not able to use sugar properly, leading to high blood glucose levels.

• The aim of treatment is to keep your blood sugar close to normal to prevent long-term complications affecting eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and feet.

• It is a manageable condition, not a life sentence.

  🍛 2. Diet and Nutrition

  • Eat small, frequent meals (3 major + 2–3 small snacks).

  • Avoid refined sugar, sweets, honey, jaggery, sugary drinks, and desserts.

  • Reduce carbohydrates (especially white rice, maida, white bread).

  • Prefer whole grains, millets, oats, brown rice, chapatis made from whole wheat.

  • Eat plenty of vegetables, especially green leafy and non-starchy ones.

  • Include protein in every meal (dal, sprouts, paneer, eggs, fish, chicken).

  • Limit oil intake (avoid fried food). Prefer olive oil, mustard oil, or groundnut oil.

  • Avoid alcohol and quit smoking.

  • Stay hydrated with water; avoid juices and soft drinks.

    • drinks.

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    🏃‍♂️ 3. Physical Activity

    • Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5–6 days a week (brisk walk, cycling, swimming, etc.).

    • Avoid long sedentary periods; get up every 30–45 minutes.

    • Always check blood sugar before and after exercise if on insulin or sulfonylureas (to avoid hypoglycemia).

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    💊 4. Medications

    • Take prescribed medicines regularly at the same time every day.

    • Never skip or double the dose without doctor’s advice.

    • Learn names, doses, and timing of each medicine.

      
      

      🩸 5. Blood Sugar Monitoring

      • Learn how to use a glucometer.

      • Keep a logbook of readings (fasting, post-meal, bedtime).

      • Typical targets (may vary individually):

        • Fasting: 80–130 mg/dL

        • 2-hour post-meal: <180 mg/dL

      • Regular lab checks: HbA1c every 3 months (goal <7%, or individualized).

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      ⚠️ 6. Recognizing Hypoglycemia (Low Sugar)

      • Symptoms: sweating, shakiness, dizziness, hunger, confusion, palpitations.

      • If it occurs, take 15 g of fast sugar (like glucose tablet, fruit juice, or sugar in water).

      • Recheck after 15 minutes and repeat if still low.

      • Always carry a sugar source and ID card stating you are diabetic.

        👣 7. Foot Care

        • Inspect feet daily for cracks, sores, or redness.

        • Wash and dry feet carefully, especially between toes.

        • Use soft footwear; never walk barefoot.

        • Cut nails straight across; see a doctor for any wound or infection.

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        👁️‍🦰 8. Regular Check-ups

        • Eye check (fundus exam) — yearly.

        • Kidney function (urine microalbumin) — yearly.

        • Blood pressure, lipid profile, ECG — at least annually.

        • Dental and foot examination regularly.

          
          

          ❤️ 9. Lifestyle & Mindset

          • Maintain healthy weight (BMI 18.5–24.9).

          • Manage stress with yoga, meditation, or hobbies.

          • Get adequate sleep.

          • Family should be educated about recognizing low/high sugar signs.

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          📘 10. Follow-Up & Education

          • Visit your doctor regularly for dose adjustments.

          • Attend diabetes education sessions if available.

          • Keep emergency numbers handy.

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