There is no cure for diabetes; however, people who receive treatment and practice self-management strategies can live long, healthy lives. In America alone, 1.5 million people are diagnosed with this condition each year.
The disease itself has no definitive cause, although some factors such as family history play a significant role. However, proper diet, exercise, weight control, and taking necessary medications can help manage blood sugar levels.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) emphasizes that self-management and education are crucial aspects of diabetes care. Below we discuss strategies to help individuals with diabetes improve their everyday health. In addition, this article looks into ways people can reduce blood sugar levels, mortality risk, healthcare costs, and weight in cases where there is excess body weight.
Step 1: Self-Monitoring
Glycosylated hemoglobin is a blood test that measures the amount of sugar in your red blood cells. You can easily calculate this by having a doctor administer the blood test. It is recommended that you check levels before and after meals, bedtime, and before exercising to ensure proper blood sugar levels. In addition, it is essential to monitor your blood sugar levels every time insulin levels are adjusted or when symptoms like increased thirst appear.
Checking your blood glucose can help your doctor gauge and adjust your treatment plan. Your HbA1C is a good indicator of how well you are doing, but there are other factors to consider as well, such as your daily results taken at different times of the day. For example, when managing type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes in pregnancy, doctors recommend that people take their readings before breakfast, lunchtime and dinner; and after exercise. In addition, regular testing is recommended for patients who have hypoglycemia unawareness symptoms, which makes it challenging to sense low blood sugar levels.
Step 2: Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is key to managing diabetes.
To manage pre-diabetes better, people with excess weight should work on losing it slowly but consistently to prevent pre-diabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes.
Nutrition therapy is a great way to improve the quality of life for people with type 2 diabetes. In addition, it can lead to a reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin levels between 0.3% and 2%.
Step 3: Good Nutrition
Following a meal plan can be challenging for those with diabetes. When developing this plan, it is helpful to work with a nutritionist who understands the needs of diabetics and how nutrition affects blood sugar levels. For some people, dietary changes alone are not enough to control their blood sugars; they may need medication to reach treatment targets set by their doctor or health team.
The diabetes plate is one tool that can help people control their calorie and carbohydrate intake. Picking healthy foods over less-healthy options and being mindful of portion control can help achieve a balanced meal plan.
Step 4: Exercise Regularly
Researchers found that engaging in a structured exercise program for at least eight weeks can lower blood sugar levels, cardiovascular risk factors and improve well-being.
Research has shown that exercising often benefits people with type 2 diabetes by lowering glycosylated hemoglobin levels and improving their quality of life.
The American's Directors Association recommends exercising for at least 10 minutes per session and getting a total of at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days.
Step 5: Take Medication Regularly
Uncontrolled diabetes leads to lower success rates in achieving clinical targets, increasing complications and early mortality. In addition, unchecked diabetes can lead to a rise in overall healthcare costs due to increased hospitalizations and medications.
There are many reasons patients don't take their medications. Some issues may include not understanding why they are taking a specific drug, difficulty with healthcare providers and system needs like getting insurance or affordable treatment options. It is important to discuss these concerns with your doctor to develop an effective plan that considers adjustments for how long you have to take your diabetic medications.
FAQ
Q-1 Why is self-management important for diabetes?
Self-management is effective for people with diabetes because it helps reduce the risk of complications and prevents hospital admissions.
Q-2 What are some self-monitoring skills for diabetes?
There are seven essential self-care behaviors in people with diabetes that predict good outcomes. These include healthy eating, being physically active, monitoring blood sugar levels, taking medications as instructed by a doctor's prescription, and following up on results to avoid any complications or side effects of the medication use. People should also learn how to troubleshoot problems that may arise from their condition.
Q-3 Does blood sugar rise overnight?
You may wake up with an elevated blood sugar level. In a healthy person, insulin can send the message to muscle cells and fat tissue, telling them to absorb glucose from the bloodstream for energy throughout their day, keeping levels stable. However, this is not the case for diabetics. Therefore, it is encouraged to monitor blood sugar levels before going to bed each night. In addition, if nighttime medications are prescribed, individuals with diabetes should make sure to take their medication as instructed by their physician.
Conclusion:
Diabetes affects millions of individuals worldwide of all ages, including those in our very own country where one out every five hundred Americans will be affected by a diagnosis yearly which amounts to nearly two million new diagnoses across both adults and young adolescents annually.
