Trying to keep type 2 diabetes under control means loving yourself a little more.
Robin Goland, MD, director of diabetes research at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, says, “Diabetes requires self-care to be effectively managed. While many women are happy to take care of others, they can’t take care of themselves.”
The first step is to stick to a healthy diet and develop an exercise plan. Consult your doctor to help you develop a plan, which may include the following:
Exercise and controlling blood sugar
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day if possible. Any activity that makes your heart beat faster and you sweat is beneficial, even gardening, walking, or cleaning your room.
- Eat foods that keep your blood sugar levels in check. That means choosing high-fiber foods, replacing white starchy foods with whole grains, eating more vegetables, and avoiding sweetened drinks.
- Consult your doctor to find out who else can help us, such as a dietitian or diabetes specialist.
Protect your heart
- People with diabetes are more likely to have heart disease, so it’s even more important to follow your doctor’s instructions on diet and exercise.
- Also, Cassandra Henderson, MD, a diabetes educator and obstetrician-gynecologist at Lincoln Hospital and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, notes the importance of keeping an eye on blood pressure.
- Controlling cholesterol levels can also help protect the heart.
Healthy pregnancy preparation
- Many women of childbearing age have type 2 diabetes. While people with diabetes are able to conceive healthy babies, they still need careful care.
- If a person with type 2 diabetes plans to become pregnant, she should first consult with her doctor and make a detailed plan to control her blood glucose levels. During pregnancy, the requirements for blood glucose control are different than others.
- The doctor should check the patient’s diabetes medications because some medications cannot be taken during pregnancy and the patient will need insulin.
- Patients also need to check their blood glucose frequently, up to eight times a day, to determine blood glucose levels after pregnancy. Of course, a healthy diet and exercise are necessary to control blood glucose.
- After the baby is born, breastfeeding is an option. Breastfeeding helps the baby reach a healthy weight and also helps control maternal blood glucose and insulin levels.
- The control of blood glucose has to change after pregnancy. Patients may need to reduce the amount of insulin or adjust their diabetes medications. Consult with your obstetrician and gynecologist and diabetes care provider, and do not make decisions on your own.
Beware of infection
- “Some types of infections can happen to anyone (male or female), but more often women have type 2 diabetes,” said Melanie Jay, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at New York University. High blood sugar makes people with diabetes more susceptible to infections, and higher-than-normal blood sugar is a sign of susceptibility to infection.
- Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria grow rapidly in the lining of the bladder and can usually be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. people with type 2 diabetes are also prone to vaginal yeast infections. A type of yeast called Candida is found in all parts of the human body, but prefers to colonize warm, moist places. Frequent high blood sugar can lead to candida overgrowth eventually causing vaginal yeast infections.
- Yeast infections can also occur in areas of the body where the skin is folded, such as in the armpits or under the breasts, and are more likely to occur in people with diabetes.
Does diabetes have an effect on menopause?
Blood sugar fluctuations may cause some common symptoms similar to menopause, such as mood changes, fatigue, and hot flashes. type 2 diabetes may also exacerbate sexual problems that occur during menopause, such as vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. If a patient is experiencing any of these problems, consult with your doctor to get help and manage your diabetes condition.