Making simple changes can improve how well you manage diabetes. Learn what you can do to control diabetes so it doesn’t control you.
Here are a few ways to take an active role in diabetes prevention and care to enjoy a healthier future.
- Commit to managing your diabetes: Your diabetes care team can help you learn the basics of diabetes care and offer support along the way. Learn all you can about diabetes prevention. Make healthy eating and physical activity a part of your daily routine. Maintain a healthy weight. Monitor your blood sugar and follow your doctor’s instructions for managing blood sugar levels. Take medicines as directed by the doctors. You can also join a program such as the diabetes care program in New Jersey, offered by Garden State Medical Group.
- Don’t smoke: Smoking increases the risk of diabetes and various complications such as:
- Reduced blood flow in the legs and feet which leads to infections.
- Cardiac arrest and diseases
- Eye, nerve, and kidney damage
- Premature death
You can also speak to your doctor about ways to help stop smoking.
- Keep a check on blood pressure and cholesterol: High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels. High cholesterol is a concern, too, because the damage is often worse and more rapid when you have diabetes. When such conditions arise, they may lead to a heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening conditions. The best doctors in New Jersey say that eating a healthy, reduced-fat diet and exercising regularly can help control cholesterol and high blood pressure.
- Drink alcohol in moderation: Alcohol can cause high or low blood sugar depending on how much you drink and whether you eat at the same time. If you choose to drink, do so only in moderation. If you’re going to drink, it’s best to do so with a snack. Be aware that alcohol can lead to low blood sugar later, especially for people who use insulin.
- Schedule regular physical and eye exams: Schedule two to four diabetes checkups in a year along with yearly physical and routine eye exams. During the physical, your doctor will ask about your nutrition and activity level and look for any diabetes-related complications—including signs of kidney damage, nerve damage, and heart disease—as well as screen for other medical problems. Your eye-care specialist will check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts, and glaucoma.
- Take care of your teeth: The primary care physicians, New Jersey, claim that diabetes can leave you prone to gum infections. It is recommended to brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss your teeth once a day and schedule dental exams at least twice a year. Call your dentist if your gums bleed or look red or swollen.
- Pay attention to the feet: High blood sugar reduces the flow of blood and damages the nerves in your feet. Untreated cuts and blisters can sometimes lead to serious infection. This can lead to pain, tingling or loss of sensation in your feet. Follow these tips to avoid feet problems:
- Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water.
- Dry your feet gently.
- Moisturize your feet and ankles.
- Check feet daily for blisters, swelling, sores or redness.
- Visit a doctor immediately if you have a foot ulcer.
- Take Stress seriously: Unfortunately, stress makes it more likely that you’ll neglect your daily diabetes care routine. To manage stress, set limits, prioritize your tasks, learn relaxation techniques, get plenty of sleep and stay positive.
At Garden State Medical Group, we embrace the importance of diabetes prevention, education, and management in our Program. By understanding how diabetes works—both type 1 and type 2—and the best ways to keep it under control, you can avoid serious and potentially deadly complications that arise with this disease. Diabetes care is within your control. If you’re willing to do your part, diabetes won’t stand in the way of an active, healthy life.
For more information about our diabetes prevention education program North Bergen, (New Jersey) or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, contact us today.