5 Tips for Managing Your Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes has become more prominent disease in the United States. An estimated 29 million people have diabetes in the US, and nearly a third of those people don’t even know they have the disease.

However, you don’t have to give up on your health just because you have been diagnosed with diabetes. In fact, after being told that you are diabetic, monitoring your health should become of utmost importance.

A few key health tips to make health management easier include:

Finding the Right Professionals

Once you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you will need more than just a general physician to help you maintain your health. In addition to a regular physician, you will also need an endocrinologist, an ophthalmologist, and a podiatrist. Each of the professionals will help you monitor a different aspect of your diabetes, and will be able to alert you to any issues that may be arising in particular areas of your body due to your diabetes.

Monitoring Your Glucose

A key to staying healthy when you have diabetes is constantly monitoring your glucose levels. Food, stress, exercise, medications, and numerous other things can affect your glucose levels, and they can result in negative side effects if you don’t remain aware of your blood sugar. The best way to know what is going on with your body is by monitoring your glucose. Don’t rely on feeling light headed or drowsy. Use a proper monitor to prevent catastrophic effects.

Take Your Meds

Diabetes is manageable in part to the advances in medication. When you are diagnosed with diabetes, medication becomes a part of your daily life, and in order to make sure you properly manage your diabetes, you need to take medication regularly. For those who aren’t the best at taking their medication regularly, a diabetes insulin pump may be a good solution. These specialized pumps release insulin throughout the day, and can make getting your medication regularly, an easier task.

Eating Right¦and Tracking it

Eating right is a great way to keep your glucose levels healthy. Eating poorly can result in dramatic sugar spikes or sugar lows which can leave you feeling downright sick. Eating a well-balanced plate will not only keep you feeling good by better managing your glucose levels, but it will also help you manage your weight which can also be a difficult task for those suffering from diabetes. Tracking what you eat by keeping a food diary can help you not only better monitor your diet, but it can also let you know when your cravings peak which can allow you to plan snacks ahead of time.

Work Out

Working out is one of the best ways to control your diabetes. Not only will exercise help you manage your weight, but it also helps control blood-sugar levels and your body’s response to insulin. To improve your overall health and better manage your diabetes, you should strive to work out for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Your exercise routine doesn’t have to be full of high intensity exercises either. Whether you choose to walk or take a spin class, the goal is to simply be active for at least 30 minutes.

Diabetes doesn’t have to mean giving up on your overall health. You can still live a healthy and full life with diabetes. Having diabetes simply means that you need to be more aware of your food choices, get in your exercise regularly, take your meds, and be a little more comfortable with your doctor. If you have diabetes, be proactive. Take your health into your own hands so that you can continue to enjoy your life.