Getting diagnosed with a disease is never easy, but it is the first step in controlling your condition and living a longer, healthier life.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes, don’t be afraid. Diabetes can be controlled if you live a fairly healthy lifestyle and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
There are several things you can do to take control of your health after your diagnosis. Below are some of the major factors that can help you control your diabetes and live an enjoyable life.
Talk to Your Doctor About Medication
There are many diabetes medications that are prescribed to patients to help control the body’s blood sugar. Some medications reduce the absorption of glucose, while others reduce glucose from being stored in the liver. Some medications instruct the pancreas to release more insulin, while others increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin.
While medication alone may not be able to control your diabetes completely, it can certainly help prevent or slow down certain symptoms. For example, medication can bring your blood sugar down to a normal level after a high-sugar meal.
If you have type 1 diabetes, insulin is the only way to treat the condition. Those with type 1 diabetes have a heightened risk of hypoglycemia if their blood-sugar levels are too low, because their pancreas produces virtually no insulin. That is why a type 1 diabetic must always stay on top of their insulin levels.
Talk to your doctor about diabetes medications and whether adding one can help you.
Create a Meal Plan You Enjoy
Managing what you eat can help control diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. Take some time to evaluate what foods you eat, when you eat them, and your overall nutritional lifestyle.
A diabetes diagnosis may require you to make some changes in how you eat. For example, it may be better for you to have smaller but more frequent meals during the day. You may have to cut down on carbohydrates and increase your vegetable intake.
A dietician will be able to discuss with you which foods to avoid and which foods to eat more often, and they can essentially help you create meal plans that are best suited for you. Diet can be a very big component of controlling diabetes. Stay on top of your diet to help ensure you control your diabetes the best way possible.
Become More Active in Things You Like to Do
Diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. If you are overweight or do not live a fairly active lifestyle, these factors may have contributed to your diabetes.
One way to help control your diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight and get the recommended exercise. Exercising helps lower blood glucose naturally so that you’ll need less medication to control your blood sugar.
Talk to your doctor about developing a plan to lose weight, and consider exercising so your body can be as healthy as possible. Remember – you don’t have to go to the gym to be active! The goal is to get your heart pumping and move your muscles.
There are endless possibilities to the activities you can do to enjoy a more active lifestyle. Some examples are yoga, hiking, walking, biking, and swimming. You can even join a recreational league playing your favorite sport, or volunteer at a charity you love!
Educate Yourself and Your Family About Diabetes
One of the best things you can do after being diagnosed with diabetes is to learn about the condition. Diabetes can be a life-threatening condition if it’s not properly managed.
But if you do learn to control it, you can live a happy and long life with minimal symptoms. There’s a vast amount of resources available through books and online that can help you learn more about the condition, foods that are harmful or helpful, alternative therapies, and more.
Who Can Help Me With My Diabetes?
The medical team at SC Internal Medicine Associates & Rehabilitation diagnose and treat a variety of conditions in adults, including diabetes, through superior service and state-of-the-art treatment methods.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or another health condition, SC Internal Medicine Associates & Rehabilitation would love to help you. Call us at (803) 749-1111 to schedule an appointment, or fill out our simple online appointment request form today. We look forward to serving you.
