6 Useful Tips For Managing Diabetes

Diabetes, according to the World Health Organization, refers to a chronic, metallic disease, characterized by elevated blood glucose or sugar, which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and body nerves. 

In simpler terms, when someone is diagnosed with diabetes, the person’s body cannot produce insulin properly or use it effectively. Note that being diagnosed with diabetes does not signal the end of life. You can still live a healthy life with the right and quality management. Even though there is not a one-size-fits-all for diabetes, as no two people with diabetes are the same, there are some useful general tips that can help in the proper management of the disease.

Make Healthy Food Choices

When you make healthy food and you track your eating habits, you are doing something critical to managing your diabetes. Consuming certain foods and restricting others can have a significant impact on the management of your blood sugar levels. A diet abundant in vegetables, high-quality protein (such as beans and eggs), high-fiber cereals, fishes, and fruits can have notable benefits on your health. Opt for healthier carbohydrates and fats, reduce sugar intake, eat less processed meats, and consume less salt. Depending on your diabetes type, consult with a doctor or dietician about drafting a healthy food plan that meets your needs. Desire to eat more natural, rather than processed foods; cut down on alcohol and smoking as these can worsen diabetes complications.

Lose Weight

Physical activities, such as exercise, are considered key to the management of diabetes. There are an estimated 420 million people with diabetes, and we consider some of them being obese and overweight. Without doubts, obesity rates everywhere are rising. In fact, inactivity and lack of exercise, coupled with changes in our food and global food industries – as simple food items are now packed with preservatives and chemicals, capable of disrupting our hormones – can be attributed to the causes of obesity. Losing weight can better your body’s capacity to respond adequately to insulin resistance and even achieve better blood glucose control. Thus, it is important to maintain a healthy body weight, as it can lower the risks of diabetes complications such as strokes, heart problems, and even cancer.

Use Medications Properly

No matter how you diet or exercise, it may not be enough to achieve your blood sugar level goals as a diabetes patient. Therefore, medications may be prescribed. Diabetes medications, especially insulin, are important to effective diabetes management. It is important that you take your prescribed medication timely, and in the right doses. Store medications before you run out of them. Adherence to medications can help keep risks in check, decrease mortality rate, reduce health costs and limit cases of emergencies. 

Reduce Stress

Reports have shown links between diabetes and stress. It is a general rule that all diabetes patients, of whatever type, must effectively manage stress and stress levels to keep their blood sugar levels within a stable limit. Stress can cause difficulties in diabetes management, increase blood pressure and heart rate. If stress isn’t managed properly, it can cause critical changes in blood sugar levels and general disruption of diabetes control. Activities such as gardening, meditating, listening to your favorite music, spending time with your friends or loved ones can help relieve stress and make you feel better. 

Prepare Ahead

It is important to plan as emergency cases can arise. Your preparations should include visiting the hospital regularly for checkups, testing your blood sugar regularly, checking your body weight frequently, and sticking to your medications. So pay attention to your body for traces of cuts, swellings, or blisters, especially on your feet, as diabetes patients are more vulnerable to infections. Diabetes complications can be significantly reduced by some forward planning – don’t be caught unawares.

Stay Hydrated

Even for a non-diabetic patient, the need to stay hydrated cannot be overemphasized enough. Diabetic patients are more prone to dehydration because of their peculiar condition. Diabetes and dehydration often go hand-in-hand as diabetes leads to frequent urination and hyperglycemia. You should drink plenty of water, as it doesn’t contain carbohydrates or calories, neither does it raise blood sugar levels. It can even help to dilute the sugar in your bloodstream and lower glucose concentration. Also, be mindful of heat exhaustion or activities that cause it. Learn to keep cool.

Follow these tips, they are useful in returning your blood sugar to a more secure level, while reducing risks of complications, such as damages to important organs like nerves, heart, and kidney. 

Being informed about factors that can influence your health as a diabetes patient, such as stress will help to expect changes and plan accordingly. Even though you might feel overwhelmed with the life changes that come with a diabetes diagnosis, you can do well and cope effectively. Stay Healthy!