Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body regulates blood sugar (glucose). When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose to enter your cells for energy.
Managing diabetes involves a multifaceted approach to keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range and prevent complications. This blog provides a guide to healthy living with diabetes, focusing on lifestyle changes, medication management, and preventing complications.
Types of Diabetes
The most common types of diabetes include:
- Type 1 diabetes: An autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy.
- Type 2 diabetes: The most common form, where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use it effectively. This type is often associated with lifestyle factors like obesity and inactivity.
- Gestational diabetes: Develops during pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth. However, it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Lifestyle Changes for Diabetes Management
- Healthy Eating:
- Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
- Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated fats.
- Monitor carbohydrate intake and spread it evenly throughout the day.
- Regular Exercise:
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.
- Consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
- Weight Management:
- Losing even a small amount of weight can significantly improve blood sugar control, especially for people with type 2 diabetes.
Medication Management
- Oral Medications: Various oral medications are available to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Insulin Therapy: People with type 1 diabetes and some with type 2 diabetes require insulin injections or an insulin pump to manage blood sugar levels.
- Monitoring Blood Sugar: Regularly checking blood sugar levels helps track how well your diabetes is managed and adjust treatment as needed.
Preventing Complications
Diabetes can lead to various complications if not well-managed. Here are some ways to reduce your risk:
- Regular Checkups: See your doctor regularly for checkups and screenings to monitor your overall health and detect any complications early.
- Foot Care: Inspect your feet daily for any sores or cuts, and see a podiatrist for regular foot exams.
- Eye Care: Get regular eye exams to detect and treat diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to vision loss.
- Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Control: Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Kidney Care: Regularly monitor kidney function to detect and manage kidney disease.
Living Well with Diabetes
Managing diabetes requires ongoing commitment, but it’s possible to live a healthy and fulfilling life with the condition. By adopting healthy lifestyle habits, managing medications effectively, and staying proactive about preventing complications, you can take control of your diabetes and minimize its impact on your life.
Remember, you’re not alone. Many resources and support systems are available to help you manage diabetes. Connect with your healthcare team, diabetes educators, and support groups for guidance and encouragement.
Additional Resources:
- Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism: [invalid URL removed]
- Diabetes Philippines: [invalid URL removed]
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): https://www.niddk.nih.gov/
Dr. Kre Johnson is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician and the sole owner of Brownstone Healthcare and Aesthetics. She is the Medical Director of the City of Birmingham’s Employee Health Clinic-Brownstone BWell Birmingham. She is the Event Producer of Wifeology and the founder of Three Twenty Girls, Inc. She loves God, traveling, and all things Southern!!
Brownstone BWell: Brownstone Healthcare has partnered with the City of Birmingham to offer primary care services to the employees of the City of Birmingham for $0 copayment. This partnership is for preventative services & screenings and sick visits. We partner with your current primary care physician and our goal is to keep you out of the ER and urgent care. We do not share your information with the City of Birmingham. We uphold HIPPA and professional standards. You can visit us at our downtown location 1700 5th Ave N Birmingham, AL 35203 or Trussville: 4643 Camp Coleman Road #117 Trussville, AL 35173 205-202-5650 call for your appointment today.
