5 Tips for Managing Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects over 400 million people worldwide. The condition is characterized by an abnormal amount of sugar present in the blood. As a result, the cells cannot get the right amount of sugar to function correctly, becoming dysfunctional.
There are many different ways to manage diabetes, but a proper balance of diet, exercise, and medications is the key to healthy living.
In this blog, we will look at different ways to manage diabetes.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when too much sugar (glucose) is in the blood. The body needs sugar for energy, but too much sugar can be harmful. When too much sugar is in the blood, it can damage the blood vessels and nerves. This can lead to problems with heart, kidney, and eye health.
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin. This can happen if an infection damages the pancreas or if the body cannot produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not use insulin properly. This can happen if the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or if the body is resistant to insulin.
Managing Diabetes
Managing diabetes is important because it can prevent other health issues from developing, like strokes and heart attacks.
There are many ways to manage diabetes. The correct method for you will depend on what your healthcare professional recommends based on the severity of your case, how healthy you are otherwise, any medications you may be taking between doctor’s appointments, etc.
If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about setting up a treatment plan that works best for you and helps keep track of your progress towards better health!
Let’s dive in and learn how to manage diabetes.
Manage your blood sugar.
It’s essential to understand the role of blood sugar or glucose in your body. Glucose is a kind of sugar that your body needs for energy. Your muscles and other tissues rely on glucose for fuel. Your pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that escorts the glucose from your bloodstream into the cells to ensure your cells get their needed energy.
Monitor your blood sugar levels using a glucometer. This device uses a test strip and meter to measure the amount of glucose in a drop of blood from your finger. You can buy one at any drugstore or online for around $20–50 USD plus the cost of testing strips.
Follow these steps to use it:
- Wash hands with warm water and soap before use
- Use lancet device with new lancet attached (included) to prick fingertip
- Squeeze fingertip gently until you have enough blood for one drop
- Apply this blood droplet to the middle of the testing strip in the glucometer
- Read results after 5 seconds
Stay active.
Regular exercise is vital for people with diabetes. Any activity is better than none, and the more you do throughout the day, the better. The goal is to get at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week.
You can also do vigorous aerobic activity for 1¼ hours a week, or a combination of both. However, if you’re overweight, your focus should be on reducing your weight by eating less and moving more.
Eat a healthy diet.
For people with diabetes, it’s crucial to eat a low-sodium and a low-fat, low-sugar diet high in fiber and filled with nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and fish. Your plan should be individualized according to your own needs.
So, for example, if you’re overweight, you may need fewer calories than are recommended for people of your age group who aren’t overweight.
In general, though:
- Limit the amount of saturated fat you eat by avoiding processed foods high in saturated fat (such as fatty cuts of meat and full-fat dairy products) and choosing more plant-based sources of protein instead
- Eat more raw or lightly cooked vegetables, such as dark green leafy vegetables and colorful peppers
- Include plenty of beans in your diet
- Reduce the amount of sugar you consume by avoiding sugary sodas and desserts like cookies, cakes, donuts, and candies
- If you drink alcohol (not recommended for people under 21 or pregnant women), keep it within moderate limits — up to one drink per day for women; up to two drinks per day for men
Don’t smoke.
You already know that smoking is bad for your health, increasing your heart disease and stroke risk. If you have diabetes, the chances are more significant. Smoking can make it harder to control your blood sugar. It can also affect how well your diabetes medicine works.
The good news? Your doctor can help you quit smoking. Your doctor has most likely helped many other people stop smoking in the past. So don’t hesitate to ask for his or her advice on ways to quit and about medicines that may help quit.
Take medication if you need it.
In many cases, the need for diabetes medication reflects lifestyle choices. That’s not to say that you brought it on yourself; rather, medication is not a substitute for healthy habits like eating right and exercising. But if you’re like so many people who don’t have time to eat well or work out regularly (especially during this COVID-19 pandemic), medication can help keep blood sugar levels in check.
It’s essential to know how much medicine should be taken each day. Your doctor will tell you when prescribing the medication.
For example, if you take insulin, you may need to take it before eating certain foods (especially those containing carbohydrates). If you take pills or other types of medication for diabetes, make sure they are taken with food — but before any meal or snack to ensure that your body gets enough glucose from the food!
Takeaway:
If you’re managing diabetes, it’s essential to understand the different ways that you can help your body. Managing diabetes doesn’t have to be difficult, and our blog post can help you understand the different ways you can have a healthier lifestyle and feel better overall.
With the help of this information, you can start to live a healthier and happier life with diabetes. So what are you waiting for? Start making healthier choices for your body today!
Thank you for reading!
………………………………………………………………………………………
DISCLAIMER:
This blog article is for informational purposes only! Please consult your doctor for medical advice.
