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Diabetes Management

Diabetes Management

Diabetes Management

What You Need To Know About Diabetes Management

Diabetes has become an increasingly common disease, affecting people of all ages and nationalities across the country. Although it’s possible for it to be managed effectively, it can pose some serious challenges in the process and requires major lifestyle changes. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you must know that controlling it takes a daily commitment. However, with support from your healthcare professionals and some education on the subject, it doesn’t have to be overwhelmingly complicated.

Diabetes Management

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, controlling it takes a daily commitment, but you can find support from your healthcare professionals.

What Is Diabetes & How Is It Caused?

To manage diabetes correctly, you must first understand exactly what it is. Diabetes is a disease that develops when a person’s blood glucose (or blood sugar) is too high. The pancreas produces insulin, which is meant to move glucose from food into the body’s cells to be converted to energy. If the body makes an insufficient amount of insulin, isn’t able to make any at all, or doesn’t use it efficiently, glucose won’t have a way of reaching the cells and will remain within the blood stream. The result is high levels of blood sugar.

Type 1 diabetes is when the pancreas does not produce insulin, and Type 2, which makes up most of the cases worldwide, is when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or respond to it as it’s supposed to. Although there is no known cure for diabetes, making the effort to treat it has proven to be effective at maintaining an enjoyable life and avoiding further health complications.

Tips For Managing Diabetes

There are several things you must consider when you’re trying to control diabetes. Between food, exercise, stress levels, and other elements, it’s a constant balancing act to keep blood glucose in a healthy range. The following tips are key for properly managing diabetes.

Diabetes Management

Work with your healthcare provider to put together an exercise plan that you can commit to that will help lower your blood sugar.

• Monitor Your Blood Sugar Consistently: It’s important to stick to a set schedule for checking your blood sugar. Usually, this will include before and after each meal, as well as prior to and right after your workouts. It may also be a good idea to check it at other random times of the day to get a clearer picture of where your levels are.

• Stay Active: Participating in regular physical activity will help your body use insulin better and encourage your muscles to use glucose for energy. In turn, this will lower the amount of sugar that’s in your blood. Together with your healthcare provider, put together an exercise plan that you can commit to.

• Watch What You Eat: Well-balanced meals are vital to diabetes management. Your meal plans should consist of foods that are nutrient-rich, with a good mix of starches, proteins, fats, vegetables, and fruits. Counting carbohydrates is also strongly recommended, as these foods have a large impact on blood sugar levels.

• Keep a Daily Log: It’s crucial to keep a daily log of all your activity, what you’re eating, and your blood sugar numbers. This will make it easy to track changes and assess how your body is responding to your management efforts. It will show if there are areas you need to work more on and others that you’re doing well in.

• Regulate Your Stress: Periods of prolonged stress can cause your blood sugar to rise. Stay conscious of this, and practice relaxation techniques frequently to keep stress levels down. When possible, avoid things you already know act as stressors in your life.

Overall, diabetes management is largely about being aware of how your body works with insulin and the variety of factors that can make your glucose levels rise and fall. Once you figure this out, you can successfully begin to take control of this disease.

Questions About Diabetes? Contact Us

It’s important to have a strong relationship with your doctor and their team of healthcare providers to manage your health. If you have concerns about your diabetes, Paradise Medical Group is here to help you. If you need an appointment, contact us or call 530/872-6650.

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