Diabetes Week
13 to 19 June 2022
Links to local diabetes support in Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, Luton and surrounding areas
When you are diagnosed with diabetes, your world changes. Your new life revolves around monitoring your blood sugar, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. Managing diabetes can be challenging at first but with time you will get used to it and learn to live a happy and healthy life. However, it is not easy to deal with the disease all by yourself. You need support from friends and family to cope with this condition successfully. The best way to tackle this condition is by understanding its implications and learning how to manage it effectively.
Here are some ways in which you can manage diabetes better:
1. Educate yourself about the disease and its effects
When you are diagnosed with diabetes, it’s best to start by fully understanding the disease. You should know about the symptoms of the disease, how to manage it, and how it can affect your health. Diabetes can cause a lot of health-related issues and it is important to understand them. You should also learn about the different types of the disease that you can have so that you can manage it better.
- The NHS website has a full guide to diabetes, with plenty of useful information
- The charity, Diabetes UK provides a page called ‘Living with diabetes’ which is a comprehensive guide to diabetes too
2. Ask for help from friends and family
Let your loved ones know about your condition so that they can help you to manage your condition better. This will reduce the stress from you as you will not have to keep explaining your condition to everyone you know. Let them know about your diet restrictions, the medications that you take, and the times that you need the support of your loved ones the most. Your friends and family can also help you to keep motivated and encourage you to stay on track with your daily routine. They can also assist you in monitoring your blood sugar levels on a regular basis. Your loved ones can also help you to manage your finances as most of the health insurance policies do not cover the cost of diabetes.
3. Exercise regularly to keep your body healthy
Exercising regularly can help you to manage high blood sugar levels and prevent complications. It will also help you to reduce the excess weight that is caused by the disease. It is recommended to do some simple exercises for at least 30 minutes a day. You can choose any form of exercise that you like the most such as yoga, gym, Pilates, walking, etc. Do not overdo it as it can cause complications in people who have diabetes. You can also join a diabetes support group or a structured exercise program that is designed for people with diabetes. This will help you to stick to your exercise plan and make it a part of your daily routine.
4. Find local support groups and services for people with diabetes
Milton Keynes – Diabetes UK Milton Keynes Group
Luton – Contact the Desmond local coordination team in Luton
Bedfordshire – NHS Community Diabetes Service
Check the listings for local support by area on the Diabetes UK website
5. Eat healthy foods to manage your blood sugar levels
Healthy eating is an important part of managing your blood sugar levels. You can eat foods that are rich in fibre, low in carbohydrates, low in fat, and sugar. Include high-protein foods, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in your diet. You should also avoid eating processed foods, junk foods, and sugary beverages. This will help you to manage your blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes-related complications such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney failure. You can also check with your doctor about which type of diet will suit you best. You can also join diabetes support groups or meet other people who are suffering from the condition to learn more about healthy eating.
6. Stick to your medication and do not skip it
It is very important to take your medication on time without skipping it. This can help you to control your blood sugar levels. You should also check with your doctor before skipping any of your medications. This will also help you to avoid complications related to the disease. You can also talk to your doctor about the different dosage options available for your medications. It is advisable to keep the insulin and syringes in a safe place that is out of the reach of children. You should also check the expiry date of the insulin and syringes so that you do not harm your health.
7. Manage stress effectively
Stress is one of the major causes of diabetes. When you are stressed, your adrenal glands secrete cortisol, which increases your blood sugar levels. You can manage your stress by doing activities that you love such as listening to music, going for a walk, reading a book, etc. You can also join meditation or yoga classes if you are new to these activities. This will help you to avoid diabetes-related complications and will also help you to manage your blood sugar levels. Try to avoid activities that cause you a lot of stress. You can also consider taking up hobbies that help you to reduce stress such as gardening, painting, etc.
8. Monitor your blood sugar regularly and keep a track of your BG numbers
Regularly monitoring your blood sugar levels will help you to manage your diabetes better. It will also help you to catch the disease in its early stages so that you can prevent complications. You can either check your blood sugar levels at home or visit your doctor to get them tested. You can also try out some artificial blood sugar monitoring devices which are easy to use and provide accurate results. Keep a track of your blood sugar numbers and share them with your doctor. This will help your doctor to monitor your blood sugar levels better and suggest better treatment options.
Conclusion
Managing diabetes is not an easy task, but it is possible. It is important to understand the disease, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly to keep your body healthy. You can also manage stress effectively by doing activities that you love. You can also join meditation or yoga classes if you are new to these activities. You can also regularly monitor your blood sugar levels and keep a track of your BG numbers so that you can take better care of your health.
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