6 Ways to Manage Your Diabetes

Step 1: Educate yourself about diabetes.

What exactly is diabetes?

Diabetes is classified into three types:

Type 1 diabetes occurs when your body does not produce insulin. This is a problem because insulin is required to convert the sugar (glucose) from the foods you eat into energy for your body. To live, you must take insulin every day.
Type 2 diabetes – Your body does not produce or use insulin effectively. To help control your diabetes, you may need to take pills or insulin. The most common type of diabetes is type 2.
Gestational diabetes (jest-TAY-shun-al) – Some women develop this type of diabetes while pregnant. It usually goes away after the baby is born. Even if it goes away, these women and their children are more likely to develop diabetes later in life.
Take diabetes seriously.

You’ve probably heard someone say they have “a hint of diabetes” or that their “sugar is a little high.” These words imply that diabetes is not a serious illness. That is not the case. Diabetes is a serious disease, but it is manageable.

Diabetes patients must make healthy food choices, maintain a healthy weight, exercise more frequently, and take their medication even when they feel well. There’s a lot to do. It is not easy, but it is worthwhile!

Why should you take care of your diabetes?

Self-care and diabetes management can help you feel better now and in the future. When your blood sugar (glucose) levels are close to normal, you are more likely to:

have more energy
feel less tired and thirsty
pass urine less frequently
heal better
have fewer skin or bladder infections

You will also be less likely to develop diabetes-related health issues such as:

You can take the following actions:

stroke or heart attack
eye problems that can cause difficulty seeing or blindness;
pain, tingling, or numbness in your hands and feet, also known as nerve damage
kidney issues that can cause your kidneys to fail
teeth and gum issues
Inquire with your doctor about the type of diabetes you have.
Find out where you can get help.
Discover how taking care of your diabetes can make you feel better now and in the future.

Step 2: Understand your diabetes ABCs.

Discuss with your health care team how to manage your A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. This can help reduce your risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes complications.

A for A1C testing (A-one-C).

What is it?

The A1C is a blood test that measures your three-month average blood sugar level. It’s not like the blood sugar checks you do every day.

Why is it significant?

You must keep track of your blood sugar levels over time. You don’t want those figures to rise too high. High blood sugar levels can be harmful to your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, feet, and eyes.

What is the A1C target?

Many diabetics have an A1C goal of less than 7. Your experience may differ. Determine your objective.

B stands for blood pressure.

What exactly is it?

The force of your blood against the wall of your blood vessels is referred to as blood pressure.

Why is it significant?

When your blood pressure rises too high, your heart has to work too hard. It can cause a heart attack, stroke, and kidney and eye damage.

What is the blood pressure goal?

Most diabetics have a blood pressure goal of less than 140/90. Your experience may differ. Determine your objective.

Cholesterol is abbreviated as C. (ko-LESS-tuh-ruhl).

What exactly is it?

Your blood contains two types of cholesterol: LDL and HDL.

LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, can accumulate and clog your blood vessels. It has the potential to cause a heart attack or stroke.HDL or “good” cholesterol helps remove the “bad” cholesterol from your blood vessels.

What are the LDL and HDL goals?

Inquire about your cholesterol levels. Your objectives may differ from those of others. If you are over the age of 40, you may need to take a statin drug to improve your heart health.

  • Inquire with your health care team about your A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, as well as what they should be.

Your ABC goals will be determined by how long you have had diabetes, other health issues, and how difficult it is to manage your diabetes.

Step 3: Discover how to live with diabetes.

When you have diabetes, it is normal to feel overwhelmed, sad, or angry. You may be aware of the steps you should take to stay healthy, but you are having difficulty sticking to your plan over time. This section contains advice on how to manage your diabetes, eat well, and stay active.

  • Stress can cause your blood sugar levels to rise. Learn how to reduce your stress. Try deep breathing, gardening, going for a walk, meditating, working on a hobby, or listening to music.
  • If you are feeling down, seek assistance. A mental health counselor, support group, clergy member, friend, or family member who will listen to your concerns could make you feel better.

Eat healthily.

  • Create a diabetes meal plan with the assistance of your health care team.
  • Eat foods low in calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, and salt.
  • Consume more fiber-rich foods such as whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta.
  • Eat fruits and vegetables, whole grains, bread and cereals, as well as low-fat or skim milk and cheese.
  • Replace juice and regular soda with water.
  • Fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, one-quarter with a lean protein, such as beans, chicken or turkey without the skin, and one-quarter with a whole grain, such as brown rice or whole wheat pasta.
project-healthcare-diabetes

Be active.

  • Make it a point to be more active on most days of the week. Begin slowly by taking three 10-minute walks per day.
  • Work on increasing your muscle strength twice a week. Stretching bands, yoga, heavy gardening (digging and planting with tools), or push-ups are all good options.
  • Maintain or achieve a healthy weight by following your meal plan and getting more exercise.

Know what to do every day.

  • Take your diabetes and other health-related medications even if you are feeling well. Consult your doctor to see if you require aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke. Inform your doctor if you are unable to afford your medications or if you are experiencing any side effects.
  • Examine your feet daily for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling. If you notice any sores that do not go away, contact your doctor right away.
  • Brush and floss your teeth twice a day to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy.
  • Quit smoking. Seek assistance in quitting.
  • Monitor your blood sugar levels. You should check it at least once a day. Keep track of your blood sugar levels using the card at the back of this booklet. Make sure to discuss it with your medical team.
  • If your doctor recommends it, check your blood pressure and keep a record of it.

Talk to your health care team.

  • If you have any questions about your diabetes, consult your doctor.
  • Keep track of any changes in your health.
  • You can take the following actions:
  • Ask for a healthy meal plan.
  • Inquire about ways to become more active.
  • Inquire about when and how to test your blood sugar, as well as how to use the results to manage your diabetes.
  • Use these self-care tips to help you.
  • Discuss with your health care team how your diabetes plan is working for you.

Step 4: Seek routine medical attention to stay healthy.

Make sure you have it at each visit

  • blood pressure check
  • foot check
  • weight check
  • self-care plan review

 

 

 

Get a: at least once in your life.

  • pneumonia (nu-mo-nya) vaccination
  • Hepatitis B (HEP-uh-TY-tiss) vaccination

Make sure you have it once a year

  • a cholesterol test
  • a full foot exam
  • a dental exam to check teeth and gums
  • dilated eye exam to rule out any eye problems
  • a flu shot
  • a urine and blood test to rule out kidney problems

 

Have an event twice a year:

  • The A1C test. If it is greater than 7, it may be checked more frequently.

Diabetes and Medicare

If you have Medicare, find out how your plan handles diabetes care. Medicare pays a portion of the following expenses:

Diabetes education, diabetes supplies, and diabetes medication

  • visits with a dietitian
  • special shoes, if necessary

You can take the following actions:

  • Inquire with your doctor about these and any other tests you may require. Inquire about the significance of your findings.
  • Make a note of the date and time of your next visit.
  • Keep a record of your diabetes care on the card at the back of this booklet.
  • Check your Medicare plan if you have it.

Step 5: Participate

Exercising 5 days a week
Being active 30 minutes a day
Losing 10-20 pounds if overweight
Know your pills and insulins, understand how they work, and take the right doses at the right times.

Step 6: Consume Medication

Know your pills and insulins, understand how they work, and use the appropriate doses at the appropriate times.

For More Information

Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information on the subject.