Managing diabetes is no easy feat. To stay healthy, diabetics must continuously monitor their blood sugar. Daily upkeep of one's blood glucose level may seem like an impossible task; however, with a well thought out treatment plan, diabetics can improve their health. A successful diabetes management plan includes diet, exercise, and medication.
Diet
Diet is an important part in the management of diabetes because food has a significant effect on one's blood glucose. For this reason, it's critical for diabetics to take note of foods that negatively impact blood sugar. People with diabetes should avoid foods containing refined flour or sugar as well as fried or processed foods. These food items possess almost no nutritional value. However, what they lack in nutrients, they make up for in simple carbohydrates and unhealthy fats. While simple carbohydrates lead to dangerously high glucose levels, saturated and trans fats raise artery-clogging LDL cholesterol.
Rather than eat unhealthy foods, a diabetic's diet should consist of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables. Since it takes longer for complex carbohydrates to be converted into glucose, they don't cause your blood sugar to rise as quickly. Foods containing complex carbohydrates include wheat bread and steel-cut oatmeal. Healthy fats, like polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, reverse the damage caused by saturated and trans fats. In addition to eating foods containing complex carbohydrates and healthy fats, diabetics should increase their intake of nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits. Eating a balanced diet can make it easier for you to manage your diabetes.
Exercise
Some diabetics may underestimate the effect physical activity can have on diabetes self-management. Exercising for as little as 30 minutes a day 5 times a week can drastically improve the chronic disease. Not only does exercise promote weight loss, but it can also lower your blood sugar. Insulin sensitivity may make it difficult for your body's cells to respond to insulin. This can lead to dangerously high glucose levels. Fortunately, physical activity can improve insulin sensitivity, helping your cells use or store glucose. Aerobic exercise can also strengthen your heart by lowering blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. Since diabetics are more likely to suffer from heart disease, stroke, and heart attack, it's important to maintain heart health.
Oral Medication
Oral medication is solely used for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. It's important to note that although oral medication can lower blood sugar, it may not return your blood glucose level to normal. To accomplish this, you will need a complete diabetes management plan, including oral medication, diet, and exercise. Along with eating healthy and regularly exercising, oral medication may make insulin use unnecessary. However, it's not uncommon for oral medications to lose their effectiveness after a few months or years. If this occurs, your doctor will provide you with other diabetes self-managementoptions.
Insulin Injections
An insulin injection replaces the body's inability to produce insulin, making it a necessity for insulin-deficient diabetics. With the help of a pen,syringe or pump, you can receive the appropriate insulin dosage and lower your blood sugar. Scheduling daily insulin injections is instrumental in the management of diabetes. If you're insulin dependent, you may want to keep a record of injection times and glucose levels. This can prevent you from using too much insulin, which may result in hypoglycemia.
Consult your doctor before establishing a diabetes management plan. He or she will provide you will additional information about diet and exercise.Your physician will also recommend the medication that best suits your lifestyle.