Contrary to public knowledge, diabetes is not a single disease. Instead, it is a group of diseases that result in the presence of too much glucose in the blood. It often results from a failure by the pancreas to secrete enough insulin into the blood. At times, the pancreas may fail to secrete any insulin at all. A significant portion of diabetes patients mainly suffer from type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
1. Monitoring sugar levels
Diabetes patients experience frequent surges in their blood sugar levels, hence the need to monitor the changes. There are various clinics in American Fork that offer such diabetes management services to patients. In addition to monitoring the blood sugar levels, some clinics extend their services to include blood pressure monitoring. That is because the body parameters tend to have a correlation between them. Mostly, as the sugar levels in the blood rise, so does the blood pressure. The frequency of checkups may depend on the extent of a patient’s condition. Your physician may advise you to go for a blood sugar checkup at least once or twice every two weeks. Monitoring the blood’s sugar level is even more essential for pregnant women. Usually, expectant women are often at risk of developing gestational diabetes. Therefore, it becomes crucial for expectant women to monitor their blood sugar levels for both their safety and that of their unborn babies.
2. Proper diet and medication
Diet plays a significant role in the development of diabetes. As such, it is a vital aspect of diabetes management. The type of food that you eat may either alleviate or deteriorate your condition. Consuming food with high sugar levels often increases the strain on your body’s ability to deal with the glucose present in the blood. That does not mean that a patient should not consume carbohydrates. Such a decision may have an effect on your body strength. Instead, opt for a balanced diet that contains only sufficient levels of glucose.
The prescribed medication is another vital aspect of diabetes management. The prescribed drugs may be ingested orally or through injections. The main concern should be to take the medication accordingly. Avoid chances of failing to take your medication by ensuring that you carry it wherever you go.
3. Regular exercise
This increases the body’s demand for energy. That, in turn, increases its consumption of glucose. The resultant effect is a general reduction in the presence of glucose in the blood. Diabetes patients should consider undertaking regular exercise routines to assist their body in coping with the high glucose levels in their blood. The intensity of the exercise will depend on the extent of a patient’s condition. Care should be taken not to overwork the body. Taking walks on mornings and evenings provide a simple yet effective way of exercising the body.
Diabetes management is an achievable goal. All that a patient has to do is to accept the change in their lifestyle. That way, it becomes easier to cope with the condition. When well managed, a patient may only experience a few challenges through their lifetime.