Diabetes is a complex disease that impacts the lives of over 34 million Americans. If you have diabetes, your body has an abnormal response to insulin, which can cause higher-than-normal levels of glucose in your blood. Without treatment, patients can suffer from a variety of ailments such as heart problems, blindness or kidney damage.
It’s a complicated condition, but it is manageable with the right care, lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication. Despite the challenges that a diabetic may face, there are ways to better manage the disease and live a healthy and happy life.
1. Choose a Knowledgeable Care Partner
Your medical team is an important factor in your diabetes management plan. Choosing an experienced professional, such as a Diabetes Specialist Germantown TN, can help you navigate your diagnosis and treatment.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes complications, so it’s important to try to maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that even a 2% reduction in body weight is helpful for regulating blood sugar.
3. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise is great for everyone, but it’s especially important for those with diabetes. Exercising naturally lowers the body’s glucose levels and can help prevent blood sugar spikes. It doesn’t have to be an excessive workout, either; even a simple post-meal walk can be enough to stabilize blood sugars.
4. Limit Refined Sugar and Excess Carbohydrates
If you’re diabetic, it’s a no-brainer that super sweet foods such as soda, fruit juices and candy should be avoided. But it’s less well-known, yet just as important, to pay attention to the carbohydrates on your plate. Foods like pasta, bread and beans should be portioned and eaten as part of a healthy, balanced meal. Your care partner or nutritionist can provide you with an eating plan that outlines portion sizes and nutrition goals.
Diabetes is a challenging condition, but it can be managed. With the right care team and resources, most diabetic patients can live a healthy and fulfilling life despite their diagnosis.
