You’ve been diagnosed with diabetes and now need to make lifestyle changes and keep a careful eye on your blood glucose levels. For many people, this is a devastating point in their lives, especially when you start reading about the complications that diabetes can cause. The good news is that diabetes can be managed very effectively, so by knowing a few essentials, you can already be off to a good start. In this article, we will share five essential elements you need to understand about diabetes.
1. Regularly Monitor Your Blood Glucose Levels
It’s hard to understand your condition better if you do need to keep an eye on how it affects your body. That’s only one of the reasons why regular blood glucose testing is crucial for any person with diabetes. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, checking your blood sugar several times a day is generally an important recommendation. The ideal frequency depends on the type of diabetes you have and the type of treatment you use.
If you use insulin injections, such as in the case of type 1 diabetes, then you’ll need to monitor your glucose levels much more frequently compared to the use of oral medication. It’s a good idea to check your glucose levels before you eat and prior to an exercise routine. This ensures you can detect low levels or dangerously high glucose levels that might put you at risk for ketoacidosis, which is a complication that can lead to serious adverse effects and even become life-threatening in some cases. It would be best to consider writing down your test results every time you measure your blood glucose levels and take this data to your doctor’s office every time you have a checkup.
2. Don’t Skip Out On Exercise
When your treatment plan is developed following a diagnosis of diabetes, you will be told to remain physically active. While it may be tempting to skip out on the treadmill a few nights in a row, especially when winter arrives, this habit can cause problems. Not only does it increase your risk of gaining weight, but it can also become an excuse you use more often.
Skipping out on exercise, thus, is something that you should not do. Get in the habit of doing some exercise every day. You can easily mix things up by alternating between aerobics and strength training daily. Even a brisk walk on some days can still do wonders for your body. When you go out for an exercise session, do a quick blood glucose test beforehand. There may be times where your blood sugar is running low – in which case exercise could increase the chance of experiencing hypoglycemia. Have a snack that provides you with about 15 grams of carbs, then wait a few minutes before starting your exercise routine or going on a walk. This will give your body some time to metabolize the carbs and, in turn, raise your blood sugar levels.
3. Focus On What You Eat
Your diet is a major factor in how well your sugar levels remain stable during the day. It’s generally recommended to combine diet and exercise to help with diabetes management. There are several factors to consider when you plan a diet.
If you’re used to eating out, this is a good time to consider starting to cook at home instead. Having more control over what you eat is a great way to avoid foods that are highly processed and contain too many carbs – things that could complicate your life as a diabetic.
Here are a couple of food suggestions that are good for diabetics:
- Brown rice
- Fish
- Lean beef
- Lean pork
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Beans
- Nuts
- Olive oil
- Avocado oil
- Fresh vegetables and fruit
- Lentils
You can easily incorporate different foods to form healthy and nutritious meals that will not spike your glucose levels.
4. Use Your Medication Correctly
A common problem that healthcare providers face when they provide a treatment plan to a diabetic is poor adherence. Unfortunately, the perception of medication, the complexities of the program prescribed, and potential side effects can affect adherence. Failure to adhere to a treatment plan can, however, result in serious complications, as the medication your doctor prescribes needs to be taken for a reason.
Oral medications and insulin injections are used to treat diabetes. The specific treatment plan depends on the type of diabetes and the severity of the condition. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about the medication you need to use to clear any confusion.
5. Don’t Miss Your Checkups And Appointments
Another essential factor to keep in mind is the checkups and appointments with your doctor. You should make an appointment for a checkup about once or twice a year, depending on your doctor’s instructions. During these checkups, your doctor may recommend additional screenings to see how your diabetes progresses.
Some people may choose to miss these appointments, but your doctor can give you valuable details on how well the management program is going. Additionally, adjustments often need to be made to a diabetes treatment plan. If you do not visit your doctor regularly, they cannot assess your situation and make these necessary adjustments. This could cause the medication you use to become less effective at managing your diabetes over time, essentially increasing the risk of diabetic complications.
Bottom Line
Not sure where to start when it comes to managing your diabetic condition? By learning some of the essentials, you can keep your glucose levels stable and even reduce the risk of severe complications in the long run. From physical exercise to regularly monitoring your blood sugar, each of the activities discussed in this post holds an equally important role in managing diabetes.