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Advanced Wound Institute

How to manage living with Diabetes effectively?

When your body does not produce or use insulin effectively, you will inevitably develop Diabetes. For most people, Diabetes is a chronic disorder and is not curable. The goal of managing your diabetes is to keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible by eating a balanced diet along with your prescribed medication and daily physical activity. Keeping your blood cholesterol and blood pressure in the normal range and under control is important also in effectively managing your diabetes.

There are many different types of medications, or anti-diabetic drugs which your doctor will prescribe depending on the severity of your condition. Each drug is unique in the way it’s designed to assist patients with keeping their condition under control. The way in which these Diabetic medicines are administered can also differ, with some drugs taken orally as pills and others administered via injection. As Type 2 Diabetes is the most common type, majority of diabetes drugs are designed for these patients who cannot control their blood sugar levels through strict diet and exercise alone. Make sure your prescribed diabetes medication is safe to take with your other medicines and be sure to stick to the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

If your diabetes is in the beginning phase, it can be managed with a few lifestyle and diet changes. Physical activity is vital for burning spare glucose in the body. In its early stages, exercise can help reverse diabetes and prevent severe heartelated complications. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends at least 5 days a week of 30 minute moderate-to-vigorous exercise. Cardio exercises like brisk walks or long hikes, cycling and swimming can reduce blood glucose, and improve insulin use in the body. However, if you are unable to get out and complete a workout, simple alternatives like climbing stairs and gardening also have similar effects on the body.

Strength training is also important. The body is able to burn glucose during its resting state all due to our muscles, so building muscle will increase the amount of glucose burned. Easy strength workouts include lifting weights, resistance bands or calisthenics such as pushups, squats and lunges.

A diabetic person can still eat foods that they enjoy, but they must be careful of the portion sizes and how frequently they indulge. By following the advice of a doctor or dietitian and eating a varied meal plan that includes whole foods from all groups, can assist with keeping your blood sugars in check.

Vegetables are a great source of vitamins and minerals and most vegetables don’t spike your sugars. However, be careful of high sugar fruits, such as watermelon, which can quickly increase your blood sugars creating dangerous side effects. Eating moderate amounts of oranges, berries, melons, apples, grapes and bananas have great nutritional benefits for people with diabetes.

Choosing whole grains options when eating carbohydrates is a safe alternative, as whole grains have low GI, they will raise blood sugar slowly. Low GI foods are essential in the diet of a person with diabetes.

Although there are many options for a diabetes diet, there are a few things a diabetic person should steer clear of. Fried or salty foods, sugary foods and high-sugar beverages like juices and sodas have no nutritional contribution to your health. Alcohol and smoking are detrimental to the health of a person without diabetes, so if you suffer from diabetes, you should seek assistance with quitting both.

In its early stages, a person with diabetes can reverse high blood glucose by incorporating regular exercise and a balanced, low-sugar diet into their life. If diabetes develops further without the intervention of a healthy lifestyle, it is often incurable, but a range of medications are available to manage its effects. As you are your own primary carer, it is important for you to be diligent with your daily routine and adapt a lifestyle that will support your condition rather than put yourself at risk.