Diabetes is a chronic health condition, and managing it can be a challenge. Many healthcare experts worldwide have corroborated that it is a modern epidemic. One of the most efficient ways to control it is to keep the blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. If left unchecked, diabetes can lead to serious health issues, including inflammation of the joints, hazy vision, stroke, and more.
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, managing may seem overwhelming, especially if you don’t know how to or where to start. To help you, we have listed down a few valuable tips for diabetes management, and to begin your journey towards keeping your blood sugar levels under control and leading a healthy life.
Monitor your blood sugar levels
One of the critical aspects of managing diabetes is monitoring your blood sugar levels. Your doctor may have set a daily or weekly schedule to test the blood sugar level, but it would help if you add an extra check-up. Doing a spot check will give you a better sense of how the blood sugar has fluctuated. You can use this information to adjust your exercise and dietary habits and manage your diabetes better.
Manage your diet
Another effective way to manage diabetes and control blood sugar level is by watching what you eat. It also helps in cutting the risk of several diabetes-related complications. If you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you must be wary of your carbohydrate consumption and reduce your caloric intake. Having a good diet certified by a dietician can help you control weight gain, blood lipid level, and blood glucose levels.
Exercise
The importance of regular exercise for a healthy living cannot be understated, and it is even more critical for diabetes patients. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you must aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.
Exercise does not necessarily mean you must lift heavy weights in the gym, but simple activities like brisk walking, swimming, jogging, skipping or running is enough. But, consistency is the key. You must exercise regularly. It not only improves the body’s use of insulin and lowers blood sugar levels, but it also helps reduce body fat and improves stamina.
You can also engage in a hobby that requires some physical activity and being connected with nature, eg. gardening or pets. A 15 minute meditation to calm you before you sleep works wonders at balancing many of your vital parameters.
Take your medications on time
It may seem like an obvious thing to do, but many people overlook this critical step. ‘My sugar levels are normal, and I don’t need to take pills.’ ‘Once I start taking pills to control diabetes, I will be addicted to it.’ These are some of the common reasons that people cite to avoid taking diabetes medications. But, the truth is that the medicines play a critical role in glucose control.
Depending on your condition, the doctor may prescribe different types of medication, and they work on different parts of the body. For example, one type of medication may be for the pancreas to stimulate insulin excretion. Another pill could be for breaking down the fat and muscle cells and making them insulin sensitive.
Have a close support system
Diabetes is a complex disease, and managing it successfully requires a lot of dedication and support from your doctor, nutritionist, nurse, and friends and family. Healthcare experts suggest that people who have close social and family support, are more likely to stick with their diabetes care plan and recover faster than those who fight the disease all alone.
So, it is best advised to stay connected to your friends and family, where people can constantly motivate and encourage you to overcome the disease, while keeping you on track on the recovery path. Finally, make sure that you consult your doctor frequently and never miss your appointment.
