4 Tips to manage your diabetes for life

Step 1: Learn about diabetes.

What is diabetes?

There are three main types of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes – Your body stops making essential insulin. This is a problem because your body needs insulin to take the sugar from the food that you eat and turn it into energy. It would be best if you had enough insulin every day to live.

Type 2 diabetes – Your body does not make enough insulin that your body needs. You may need to take medicines or insulin to help control your diabetes. This is the most common type of diabetes that is usually found in many people.

Gestational diabetes – Some people, especially women, get this kind of diabetes when they are pregnant. Most of the time, it goes away after the birth of the baby. But even if it goes away, there is still a chance that the women and their children getting diabetes later in life.

Why take care of your diabetes?

Taking control of your diabetes can help you feel good and happy. When your blood sugar (glucose) is close to normal, you are likely to have more energy, feel less tired and thirsty. Also, you need to pass urine less often, and your body heals fast. You may also have less skin or bladder infections.

Also, you will have less chance of having health problems caused by diabetes, such as:

• Stroke or heart attack

• eye problems

• tingling, pain, or numbness in your feet and hands, also called nerve damage

• teeth and gum problems

Some actions that you may take: –

• Ask your team of doctors about what type of diabetes you have.

• Learn how treating your diabetes helps you feel right now and in the future.

Step 2: Know your diabetes ABCs.

Talk to your doctor about how to manage your A1C blood test, Blood pressure, and cholesterol.

1. “A” for the A1C test

The A1C is a blood test that measures your blood sugar over the past three months. It is different from regular blood sugar tests.

2. “B” for Blood pressure.

Blood pressure is the force of your running blood against the walls of your blood vessels.

3. C for Cholesterol

There are two kinds of cholesterol which are found in your blood: LDL and HDL.

LDL or “bad” cholesterol can build up on your blood vessels. It can cause a heart attack or stroke, which may lead to the death of a person. HDL or “good” cholesterol helps remove the “bad” cholesterol from your body.

Actions you can take: –

Ask your health care team about your A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol data. Write down your progress and track your health data.

Step 3: Learn how to live your life with diabetes.

It is common to feel sad or angry when you are living with diabetes. You may know the steps you should take to stay fit, but have challenges sticking with your plan over time. This section has few tips on how to handle your diabetes, eat well, and be healthy.

Stress can raise your blood sugar significantly. Learn ways to lower your stress hormones. Try taking a walk, gardening, meditating or listening to your favourite songs.

Eat well

• Make a diabetes health plan with help from your health care team.

• Choose foods that are lower in calories, trans fat, sugar, salt and saturated fats.

• Eat foods with more fibre, such as cereals, slices of bread, whole grain and pasta.

• Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, pasta, nuts, whole grains every day

• Drink water instead of full juice and soda.

Be active

• Set a goal to be active most days of the month. Start slowly by taking 10-15 minutes’ walk, three times a day.

• Twice a week, work on your muscle strength. Use stretch bands, skipping, heavy gardening, or try doing push-ups.

• Manage your weight by using a diet plan and keeping your body physically active.

Know what to do every day.

Take your pills for diabetes and any other health problems even when you are feeling okay. Ask your doctor if you need aspirin to prevent a stroke. Tell your doctor if your medicines are expensive or if you have any side effects.

Brush your teeth and floss every day to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums clean and healthy.

Stop smoking.

Keep track of your blood sugar levels. You might want to check it once or twice a day. Check your blood pressure if your doctor advises you and keep a record of it so that you can track your health data.

Talk to your health care team. Ask your health team if you have any questions about your disease and Report any significant changes in your health.

Actions that you can take

• Ask for a healthy diet plan.

• Ask about ways to be more active and healthy.

Step 4: Get routine care to stay fit.

See your doctor’s team at least twice a year to find or treat significant problems.

At each visit, be sure you have a foot check, blood pressure check, weight check, and review of your self-care plan.

Also, two times each year have an A1C test. It may be checked more often if it is over the levels of 7.

Moreover, once a year, be sure you have a cholesterol test, complete foot examination, dental exam to check teeth and gums and eye test to check for eye problems.

Tame the stress!

Stress can hamper your diabetes care. Be aware if you are taking your meals on time. Use the below tips to keep your stress at a low level.

• Talk to someone. Be connected to your family members or close friends. Some professionals can help you find solutions. Look for a psychologist or counsellor who can help guide you towards achieving excellent health.

• Tap the power of body movement. You can blow off steam with exercise, or do a relaxing mind-body activity like tai chi or yoga. You will feel good.

• Take time to unwind. Practice muscle relaxation, visualization, deep breathing, or meditation.

We hope that our tips help you increase your productivity in times like these. Let
us know in the comment section, for more tips and information. Keep visiting our
website.