Summary
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that requires careful management. If it has been diagnosed recently, some lifestyle changes will most likely have to be made. A more active and healthy lifestyle can help avoid the serious complications associated with diabetes.
Management plan
The treating physician can help create a management plan for the treatment of diabetes. This plan can teach strategies for healthy living, scheduling regular check-ups and carefully following the advice of the healthcare team.
Controlling blood glucose
One of the most important aspects of diabetes care is the monitoring of blood glucose, also referred to as ‘blood sugar’.
The level of glucose in the blood changes depending on the food one eats, activity level, stress and other factors.
Sometimes the glucose level can become too high or too low and this can cause serious problems. For some people, regular insulin injections may be necessary. By regularly monitoring your glucose level, you can learn how to keep it within the right range.
Regular exercise
Regular physical activity is part of the health plan. Try to be physically active for at least 30 minutes to an hour almost every day. Walking at a brisk pace, dancing, swimming and cycling are good low-impact exercises.
Try strengthening exercises, such as abdominals or weightlifting, twice a week.
Eating healthy food
One must choose to eat healthy foods. Replace red and processed meats with healthier sources of protein. Choose fish, poultry, nuts, whole grains and vegetables.
Limit refined carbohydrates, found in foods such as white bread, saltines and crisps, and avoid fried foods.
Eat only small amounts of sugary foods and choose water over sugary drinks. Limit alcohol consumption.
Other suggestions
It is also advisable to take other measures to protect your health. Wear an identification bracelet or necklace to let people know that you have diabetes. Take care of your teeth. Consult your eye doctor regularly. Inspect your feet regularly and take care of any foot problems immediately. Avoid smoking. With frequent check-ups and careful management, you can keep type 2 diabetes under control and enjoy a long and healthy life.
Overview
Type 2 diabetes requires careful management. Ifyou’ve been recently diagnosed, you will most likelyneed to make some lifestyle changes. A moreactive and healthy lifestyle can help you avoid theserious complications linked to diabetes.
Management Plan
Your doctor will help create a management plan foryour diabetes. This plan will teach you strategies forhealthy living. You will need to schedule regularcheckups and follow the advice of your healthcareteam.
Check Your Blood Glucose
One of the most important aspects of diabetes careis monitoring your blood glucose, which is alsocalled your blood sugar. Your blood glucose levelchanges depending on the foods you eat, youractivity level, stress and other factors. At times itcan get too high or too low, and this can causeserious problems. For some people, regular insulininjections may be necessary. By monitoring yourglucose level regularly, you can learn how to keep itwithin a healthy range.
Get Regular Exercise
As part of your healthcare plan, you shouldexercise regularly. Try to be physically active for 30minutes to one hour on most days. Brisk walking,dancing, swimming and bicycle riding are greatlow-impact exercises. Try to do strengtheningexercises, such as sit-ups or weightlifting, twice aweek.
Eat Healthy Foods
You should eat healthy foods. Replace red andprocessed meats with healthier sources of protein.Choose fish, poultry, nuts, whole grains andvegetables. Limit refined carbohydrates, which arefound in foods such as white bread, pretzels andchips. Skip the fried foods. Eat only small amountsof sugary foods, and choose water over sugarydrinks. Limit your alcohol consumption.
