How to Utilize Proper Diabetes Management on a Daily Basis
.jpg%3Fitok=fuOrJlhl)
Proper diabetes management is critical in preventing serious long-term complications. Unmanaged (or poorly managed) diabetes can lead to medical complications as serious as blindness, emergency amputations, or permanent damage to internal organs. Obviously, diabetes management is something every diabetic must take very seriously.
The cornerstone of diabetes management is keeping your blood sugar regulated. All of the other effects of diabetes stem from the effects of high blood sugar. Luckily, today's diabetic has a wide variety of home equipment available for regularly monitoring blood sugar levels. By keeping close track of your blood sugar throughout the day, you can learn your 'normal' responses to your medications, different foods, and eating schedules, track the effects of a regular exercise program, and discuss these patterns with your doctor, to adapt the management of your diabetes even more effectively.
A Combination of Medication and Diet
The basis of blood sugar management is usually a combination of medication and diet. type 1 diabetics must take insulin because their body does not produce it properly. Management of type 1 diabetes needs to be very precise, so the diabetic's need for insulin matches the dose they are taking, preventing both high blood sugar and dangerous drops in blood sugar as well (hypoglycemia).
In type 2 diabetes the body gradually becomes resistant to insulin over a span of many years. Although insulin is still produced, the body cannot use it effectively. type 2 diabetics may take pills to help their body become more receptive to insulin.
The Glycemic Index
In either case becoming familiar with the Glycemic Index, which shows which foods cause blood sugar levels to rise faster than others, is an important part of proper dietary management of diabetes. Foods with a high Glycemic Index will make blood sugar rise very rapidly, and should be avoided. Sugars and refined carbohydrates ('white' pasta, white bread, etc.) are among the things at the top of the list, while whole grains (complex carbohydrates) are lower on the index, and proteins are near the bottom. Becoming familiar with the Glycemic Index, and finding which foods you like are safest for management of your blood sugar can make overall management of your diabetes much easier.
Regular Exercise
Regular exercise is an important part of long term management of diabetes. Since peripheral neuropathy often has serious effects on muscle mass and control in the arms and legs, muscle-building exercises can be an important way of managing some of the physical effects of diabetes. Developing an effective weight training routine you can do easily in your own home may be easier than going to a gym.
The onset of type 2 diabetes is strongly correlated with being overweight. In some cases, if type 2 diabetes is diagnosed early enough, and it is a mild enough case, proper diet combined with regular exercise may lead to the disappearance of diabetic symptoms. While there is a very strong chance diabetes will return later in life, adding a few more years of good health will certainly help minimize side effects later in life. While exercise can never 'cure' type 1 diabetes it is still important.
Diabetes management can be a complex process, but understanding the basics of your medication, healthy dietary choices and appropriate and regular exercise will provide a strong foundation for successful management of your diabetes throughout your life.
Related Reading
Photo: Pexels
More Articles
With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.
Farro...
Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....
With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...
If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...
In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.
When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...
More Articles
If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....
For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.
A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...
According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...
Eleven Clinical Studies
After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...
Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...
Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...
Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...
Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...
Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....
When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...
Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.
The...
Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...
Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...
Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...
One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...