Diabetes is a disease of the endocrine system. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you can feel overwhelmed when it comes to taking care of your health. Practicing healthy behavior when it comes to your body will help make it easier to manage your diabetes. Effective management of diabetes may reduce your risk for complications and put you at a lower risk for diabetes-associated illness.
Eating Habits
When you are diabetic, how you eat is very important to your overall health. Practicing healthy behavior means choosing a diabetic diet or foods that are low in sugar and starches. A good basic diabetic or low-sugar diet focuses on the main food groups, including low-fat proteins, low-fat dairy, whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits in moderation. Avoid eating processed foods that may contain chemical preservatives and added sugar. Keep meat skinless, and avoid frying or adding breading or sauce to the dish. Fill up on non-starchy vegetables such as asparagus, green beans, peppers and summer squash.
Exercise
Exercise is very important when you have diabetes. Getting regular exercise can help reduce diabetes complications and keep your blood glucose under control. Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle can reduce your risk for weight gain and becoming obese. You should strive to get 30 minutes of exercise daily, up to five days per week. Exercise should be based on your fitness level. If you are unable to do vigorous exercise such as running or cycling, you can still stay active by doing yard work or taking walks through your neighborhood. Moving your body helps you burn calories and improves blood flow throughout the body, which is especially beneficial to diabetics.
Physician Visits
Regular visits to your primary care physician are essential in diabetes care. Even if you feel fine, your doctor can detect underlying medical conditions that could be a problem in the future. Blood pressure control is essential. You may need to take blood pressure medication to help keep your numbers in a safe range and avoid getting hypertension. Your doctor may order lab work such as a hemoglobin A1C test to determine your blood glucose levels over the past few months. He may also want to change diabetes medications such as insulin or glucophage based on your current diabetes status.
Personal Care
Taking care of yourself is an important healthy behavior when you have diabetes. Testing your blood sugar several times a day and recording the number helps you track fluctuations and guides you as to when to take insulin if you are on this medication. Normal fasting blood glucose readings should be under 100 mg, according to the American Diabetes Association. You should also take care of your oral health and make regular dental appointments. Diabetes can affect the teeth and gums, so brushing and flossing daily are recommended. Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking -- both can adversely affect your health and make it more difficult to manage diabetes.
