Diabetes affects a significant proportion of the world’s adult population. Despite cases of diabetes being reported among the young population, its prevalence is relatively low. Without any known cure, diabetes can only be managed. However, without proper management diabetes can present significant challenges that can escalate to fatality levels.
Management of Diabetes: Beyond Diets and Physical Exercise
Over the years, technological developments especially availability of internet services has significantly changed personal health management practices. For diabetes patients, the internet has become a resourceful platform for information on diabetes and its management. However, if you are an internet enthusiast who relies on the internet for almost any information it is advisable to watch out for the information that you consume on diabetes. Without a proper web filter for your online information search, you are likely to be bogged down with irrelevant and misleading information on diabetes management from individuals with nefarious intentions.
The key to finding useful information on diabetes management is understanding that it is a lifelong process that involves more than physical exercise and healthy eating. The lifelong process involves building a mental fortitude that will ensure your psychological well being. This enables diabetes patients to define and take control of their lives with the view of living a normal life as much as possible.
Tips for Positive Living With Diabetes
Effective diabetes management is a product of healthy living and having a positive outlook at life founded on the knowledge that it is a lifelong process.
Avoid stress and depression:
Avoiding stressful and depressing situations is vital diabetes management and care. Stress and depression can lead to social isolation, overeating, sleep deprivation, loss of appetite and poor concentration. Overeating can lead to overweight and obesity and other related conditions such as heart diseases, which may exacerbate the diabetes patient’s conditions.
Actively engage in monitoring your health:
With the help of medical services such as Medicare, diabetes patients can visit certified physicians for annual tests and screenings to check for blood sugar levels and eye dilation. Having a hand-held glucose meter, insulin pens and a timer for your insulin pump can go a long way in effectively monitoring and managing your insulin levels.
Create and follow your care plan:
As a lifelong and daily process, having a care plan for diabetes can go a long way in ensuring that you stay healthy. The plan should be customized to meet your wishes and needs when it comes to staying healthy and active. A comprehensive diabetes management and care plan should be developed with the help of a diabetes specialist including an educator. It should include the drugs and a number to call in case of specified occurrences.
Be your own hero:
The single most important individual in diabetes management is the patient. Make a commitment to yourself to live healthily and follow your care plan and follow through on the commitment.
Regular exercises are important:
With a pedometer, make regular, simple and inexpensive exercises part of your daily routine especially early in the morning. Regular and light exercises reduce blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Opt for low-calorie food varieties:
This is especially crucial in weight management and related conditions such as obesity and high blood pressure.
Join a support group:
Surround yourself with people who can provide moral support and help you accomplish your care plan goals. This can be loved ones or the various support groups in the community and on social media platforms.
Make healthy food choices:
Avoid the temptation to diet. Rather, a variety of healthy foods that suit your lifestyle can do the trick. The key is to avoid fatty and high-calorie foods and others that can lead to obesity.
Always have your medications with you and plan ahead to help in cases of emergencies.
Go beyond your blood sugar level management:
Avoid excessive alcohol, quit smoking and manage your blood pressure to avoid stroke and heart disorders.
In conclusion, proper management can prolong the life of diabetes patients. Diabetes management should be patient-centric. It is informed by the knowledge that it is centered on finding the balance between physical and psychosocial well being of the patient.