Whenever you are learning how to manage diabetes, you will notice that controlling your blood sugar is the key aspect. This is what will help you to keep a long and healthy life. The best way to learn how to manage diabetes is to learn as much as you can about what makes your blood sugar level rise and fall.
Mayoclinic.com states that “healthy eating is the cornerstone of any diabetes management plan”. Diabetes management not only involves what you eat, but how much you and when you eat it. The website recommends keeping to a schedule, making every meal well-balanced, eating the right amount of foods, and knowing how to coordinate your meals and your medications. Speaking to a doctor or dietitian in depth is a great way to begin to learn how to follow these simple guidelines.
How to Manage Your Diabetes
The National Diabetes Education Program website lists 4 key steps on how to manage diabetes. This site provides terrific advice on how to treat and manage diabetes. The steps are:
Learn about diabetes – Understanding diabetes is key to knowing how to manage diabetes and keeping it under control. It is important to understand that this is a serious disease and can cause some serious complications if not tended to correctly.
Know your diabetes ABCs – It is advisable to talk to your health care provider(s) about managing your A1C, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol.
- A1C – A1C is a test that shows what your blood glucose level has been over the last three months.
- Blood Pressure – It is important that your blood pressure does not remain too high. High blood pressure can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
- Cholesterol – LDL is “bad” cholesterol that can build up and clog you blood vessels, which may lead to heart attack or stroke. HDL is “good” cholesterol that helps remove cholesterol from your blood vessels. Doctors will test to make sure that your LDL is below 100. Men’s HDL should be above 40 and women’s at about 50.
Manage your diabetes – You should eat fruits, vegetables, and lean meats without the skin, whole grains, and low-fat or skim milk and cheese. Try to exercise 30 to 60 minutes a day, a brisk walk is recommended. Stop smoking (call 1-800-Quitnow or 1-800-784-8669). Trying to learn to cope with stress is important as well as asking for help if you feel down (visiting Yourdiabetesinfo.org/healthsense can help). It is also important to check your feet daily for cuts, blisters, red spots and swelling.
Get routine care – See your health care provider at least twice a year and have them check your blood pressure, your feet, your weight, and review your self-care plan with them.
The National Diabetes Education Program provides information on how to manage gestational diabetes as well. It is recommended that you visit this site as it is very helpful in educating yourself on how to manage diabetes. Yourdiabetesinfo.org is a great site to visit as well.
How to Manage Diabetes without Medications
Type2diabetesguide.com makes recommendations on how to manage diabetes without medication. It involves making lifestyle changes such as keeping a diabetic friendly diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight or controlling weight gain, and taking insulin as prescribed.
Ehow.com also provides information on how to manage diabetes without medication. This site recommends checking your blood sugar levels regularly and making changes in co-ordinance to your readings. Set fitness goals for yourself, and keep your body moving by walking everyday, joining a fitness class, or even just chasing your kids around the yard. Work with a dietitian to form a healthy heating plan that is right for you, and always check your blood pressure before and after meals.
Related articles: Ayurvedic Treatment for Diabetes | Diabetes Analysis | Diabetic Med Treatment | Diabetes Meds | Diabetic Remission | How To Manage Diabetes Without Medication | Herb for Diabetes | Diabetic Guide | Vitamin B and Diabetes | Diabetes Rehab |
