A healthy lifestyle and insulin therapy can reduce the risk of complications such as heart disease, stroke, or kidney failure in people with diabetes.
To reduce the risk of developing complications, patients should take control of their:
- Glucose.
- Blood pressure.
- Cholesterol.
Following a simple daily care plan can help prevent complications.
Testing blood glucose
Tying your finger to test your blood glucose daily can help you know if your blood glucose is under control, and if it is not, you can make adjustments to get it under better control.
Ask your doctor when and how often to measure your blood glucose and what your normal blood glucose levels are.
Record the date, frequency, and blood glucose readings taken, share them with your caregiver, and consult with your healthcare provider about what steps to take to adjust your daily routine if your blood glucose levels are not normal.
Eating right
Eating right can help maintain a normal weight and lower cholesterol or blood pressure, and a dietitian or diabetes educator can help develop a meal plan that fits the patient’s lifestyle.
Patients should also:
- Eat a variety of healthy foods.
- Attend to food portions.
- Make sure half of each meal is a vegetable.
- Keep healthy snacks on hand, such as celery and peanut butter.
Exercise regularly
Regular exercise can help control weight and lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and should be done for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week.
If you’re not comfortable exercising, you can:
- Try brisk walking, “Even with severe arthritis or back pain, most patients can walk briskly for 15 minutes twice a day,” says Marjorie Cypress, RN, former director of health care and education for the American Diabetes Association.
- Find appropriate exercise by getting up 15 minutes earlier to go for a morning walk, taking another walk at lunchtime, or lifting dumbbells or stepping in place while watching TV.
Don’t smoke
Smoking damages and constricts blood vessels, making you twice as likely to have heart disease, as well as causing nerve damage, eye and kidney disease, and your doctor can offer ways to quit.
Stress relief
Marjorie said, “The body secretes adrenaline when it feels stressed, causing blood pressure and blood sugar to rise.”
Prolonged exposure to stress can lead to chronically high blood sugar.
Avoid any stressors and set aside at least 15 minutes a day to relax. For example:
- Meditate.
- Meditate.
- Breathe deeply.
- Listen to music.
- Dance.
- Stretching.
- Doing volunteer activities.
- Pursue a hobby or craft.
Get enough sleep
Lack of sleep increases the chances of weight gain and obesity, and patients who get 7½ to 8½ hours of sleep have better control of their blood sugar.
Checking the feet
High blood sugar can damage nerves in the feet and slow blood flow to the feet. Foot ulcers that are left untreated can lead to serious infections, and patients may not notice foot wounds in time.
Check your feet daily, especially between the toes, for blisters, broken skin, fever, or redness. If you find a wound, treat it immediately and monitor it closely, and if it does not improve or shows signs of infection, seek medical attention immediately.
Oral care
Diabetes increases the chance of gum disease and infection. Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice a day, and floss one or more times a day.
Annual medical checkups
The following tests and exams should be performed at least 2 times a year if recommended by your doctor.
Test glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) to know the average blood glucose level for the previous 2 or 3 months.
Clean and check your teeth at the dentist.
The following tests and exams should be performed at least 1 time per year if recommended by your doctor:
- Pupil dilation exam.
- Regular physical exams.
- Cholesterol measurement.
- Check microalbumin and creatinine tests to be informed if there is kidney damage.
- Get a flu shot.
Other vaccines should be given, such as tetanus and pneumonia vaccines, and hepatitis B vaccine if you are under 60 years old and have not received it.