Diabetes is a long-standing condition and is the primary cause of many other complications like heart disease, liver ailment, kidney failure, cholesterol, loss of eyesight, etc. But these conditions can be taken care of if you manage your diabetes and other related conditions systematically and adequately. Diabetes is a very serious disease and can affect every part of the body. Follow these four simple steps to effectively and efficiently manage diabetes throughout your life.
Step 1: Knowing about your diabetic condition is the first and the foremost step to effectively manage your diabetes. You need to know whether you are suffering from Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes as that would enable you to take precautions accordingly. In Type 1 diabetes, your body cannot make insulin, which helps your body generate glucose from the food you eat, and you have to take insulin every day. In Type 2 diabetes, your body cannot make insulin well, and you have to take pills or insulin depending upon your blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
Another form of diabetes, Gestational diabetes, occurs in some women when they get pregnant and raises the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. It also increases the risk of the child’s overweight and developing Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is serious, and all you need to do is manage it properly. Taking good care of your health and making healthy food choices can make you feel better and avoid future complications.
Step 2: Understanding the ABCs of your diabetes is the next step in diabetes management. Here A stands for “A1C test”, B stands for “Blood Pressure,” and C stands for “Cholesterol.” The A1C test shows your average blood sugar levels over the last three months and is different from the blood sugar you check every day. Blood pressure is the force of blood in your blood vessels. Having high blood sugar makes your heart work hard and can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. There are two kinds of cholesterol in your blood LDL and HDL. LDL or bad cholesterol build-up clogs in your blood vessels, whereas HDL or good cholesterol helps remove LDL from your blood vessels.
Step 3: With food restrictions and medical regulations, it becomes overwhelming for people living with diabetes.
- Learn to cope with your diabetes and manage your stress level, as it can increase your blood sugar levels. Spend some time with your friends and do what you like the most, like gardening, walking, listening to your favorite music, etc. In case you feel low, ask for help, talk to your health counselor, join a support group, and talk to a friend or a family member who will listen to your concerns.
2. Make a healthy meal plan that is lower in calories, carbohydrates, saturated fats, sugar, and salt. Eat foods that are rich in fiber, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, bread, and cereals.
3. Be active by doing regular physical workouts and exercise to keep your body healthy and fit. Stay at or get to a healthy weight by using a healthy meal and working out more. Regular exercise and workout increases your muscle strength and also steadies your blood sugar levels.
Step 4: Get routine care from your healthcare team at least twice a year to stay fit and healthy. At each visit, be sure to have your blood sugar, foot check, and weight check. Once in a year, be sure to have a cholesterol check, dental exam, urine, and blood test to check for kidney problems. You can ask your healthcare team for other tests, depending upon your diabetic condition, and always ensure to check your Medicare plan (if any).
Apart from all the other steps mentioned above, your lifestyle and regular monitoring of your blood sugar levels play a vital role in managing your diabetes and staying healthy all through your life. With this blog, we have tried to shed some light on the effective ways that help you manage your blood sugar levels throughout your life. We will be back with more meaningful insights on diabetes and diabetes management; till then, Stay Safe and Stay Healthy!!
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