MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES
For every problem, there is a solution. This cliche is at least true for diabetes. Diabetes can be managed, and pretty well, for that matter.
To keep your blood sugar level in the range that your doctor recommends, you can do a number of things. This is beyond medication alone. It also involves avoiding or managing certain risk factors that affect your sugar level.
Here are some of the factors to pay attention to while managing diabetes:
Diet
Exercise
Medication
Other Lifestyle changes
Monitoring your blood sugar
DIET
Eating a balanced diet is important for everyone, whether you have diabetes or not. However, those with diabetes should pay closer attention to the foods they eat. The type, quantity, combination, and frequency of the foods you eat all play a role in creating a healthy diet.
Do the following to get the most out of your diet:
Eat a balanced diet that has proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fat, and water. The carbohydrates in fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains are lower than those in cereals, pasta, pizza, etc., and are healthier for you.
Learn how to calculate your carbohydrates. The CDC has a list of some commonly eaten foods and how many carbs they contain. There are also carb-counting apps you can download to measure the carbs in your food. This will help you eat the right quantity of food.
Talk to a dietitian. They’d be able to tell you what foods to eat and the nutrients they contain.
Reduce your soda intake and other sweetened beverages. They may make your taste buds happy, but not your blood sugar. They have a lot of calories, so it’s best to avoid them or take them once in a blue moon.
However, if you experience signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), such as lightheadedness, these drinks quickly and easily raise your sugar level, so it’s useful to keep them around, especially if you take insulin secretagogues.
Depending on the medication you take, you have to time your eating. Some diabetes drugs need to be taken with a meal to prevent low blood sugar. Ask your doctor about the drugs you take and whether you need to time your meals.
EXERCISE
Exercise lowers your blood sugar. It causes your muscles to use up glucose, thereby reducing your blood sugar. It also increases insulin sensitivity.
For the best results, you can try the following:
Ask your healthcare team what exercises you can do. There are some exercises that raise blood sugar due to the release of stress hormones. But brisk walking is a safe exercise to do if you’re diabetic.
Get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. These could be regimented exercises or your day-to-day physical activities.
Find out when to exercise in relation to your meals and medications.
Drink water in between exercises to avoid dehydration.
If you do strenuous exercises, monitor your blood sugar.
MEDICATION
The type of diabetes you have and the stage it is at will determine the kind of medication you’ll be given. Diet and exercise alone may become insufficient in the long run while managing diabetes, and you may need to take oral hypoglycemics or insulin.
To get the most out of your medication, do these:
Follow your doctor’s prescription.
Monitor your reaction to the drugs. Let your doctor know if your blood glucose level continues to fall below the recommended range or if it remains high.
Before taking a new medication, find out how it will affect your diabetes medications.
Take your meals at appropriate times and avoid skipping meals if you take drugs that require you to eat at certain times to avoid having low blood sugar.
OTHER LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Stop smoking. This reduces your risk of certain diseases, like heart attacks and some diabetic complications.
Reduce your alcohol intake.
Drink enough water regularly.
Check your blood pressure regularly to maintain the range recommended by your doctor.
Get enough sleep and avoid stressors.
MONITOR YOUR BLOOD SUGAR
Monitoring your blood sugar is key to managing diabetes. It determines how well your medication, diet, and exercise are working.
To monitor your blood sugar, do these:
Get a glucose meter. Prick your fingertip with a lancet, put the drop of blood on the test strip attached to the glucose meter, and your blood sugar will be displayed. You can watch a video on how to use this.
Ask your doctor how frequently you should monitor your blood sugar, especially if you get low blood sugar often.
Get your blood sugar checked at the clinic sometimes to be sure your glucose meter works properly and that you’re checking it correctly and getting the right values.
You may need to use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) if you take insulin, if your doctor recommends it, or if you often get low blood sugar.
Keep a record of your results. If your sugar level isn’t usually in the recommended range despite medication and lifestyle changes, this will help your doctor make informed decisions. It may also show that your medication needs to be changed.
If you manage your diabetes well, you will be able to go about your day-to-day activities without it getting in the way. This management journey will be easier with a support system. So pay attention to your food, physical activities, medication, blood sugar level, and mental health for optimal management.
