Diabetes is a serious disease. Each of the following diabetes care plans requires perseverance, but your efforts are worth it. Diabetes complications are serious and even life-threatening, and meticulous care can reduce those risks. Here are 10 ways you can take an active role in your diabetes care and enjoy a healthier future.
1. Make a commitment to manage your diabetes
Your diabetes care team includes doctors, diabetes care educators and nutritionists who will help you, such as learning about diabetes primary care and providing support and encouragement, but it’s still up to you to manage your own status – after all, no one is more responsible for your health than you are. Learn as much as you can about diabetes. Make healthy eating and exercise a part of your daily life. Maintain a healthy weight, monitor your blood sugar levels, follow your doctor’s instructions to keep your blood sugar within your target range, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from your care team when you need it.
2. Make a plan for annual physicals and regular eye exams
Frequent diabetes screenings are not meant to replace annual physicals and routine eye exams. During a physical exam, doctors look for signs of diabetes complications, including kidney damage, nerve damage, heart disease, and also screen for other medical problems. Eye care specialists will check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.
3. Get up-to-date vaccinations
High blood sugar can weaken the immune system, which makes routine vaccines more important than ever. Ask your doctor about the following.
(1) Flu vaccine: During the flu-prone season, an annual flu shot will keep you healthy and also prevent serious complications caused by the flu.
(2) Pneumonia vaccine: Sometimes the pneumonia vaccine is given only once. You may also need an additional shot once every five years if you have complications from diabetes, or if you are 6 5 years old and older.
(3) Other vaccines: Stay up to date on your tetanus vaccine within the 10-year statute of limitations for immunization, and ask your doctor about the hepatitis B vaccine. Depending on the situation, your doctor may recommend another vaccine.
4) Watch your teeth
Diabetes can lead to gum infections. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day and schedule dental checkups at least twice a year. If your gums are red, swollen or bleeding, consult your dentist immediately.
5. Watch your feet
High blood sugar can damage the nerves in the feet and reduce blood flow to the feet. If left unattended, wounds and blisters can become seriously infected. To prevent foot problems.
(1) Wash your feet with warm water every day.
(2) Dry your feet gently, especially between the toes.
(3) Moisturize your feet and ankles with skin lotion.
(4) Check your feet daily for blisters, cuts, pain, redness and swelling.
(5) If there is pain or other foot problems and they do not start to turn better within a few days, consult your doctor.
6. Control blood pressure and cholesterol
As with diabetes, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels. High cholesterol is also a concern, and when you have diabetes the damage is often worse more quickly. When these conditions collaborate, they can lead to heart attacks, strokes or other life-threatening conditions.
A healthy diet and regular exercise can go a long way toward controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol, and sometimes medication is necessary.
7. Take aspirin daily
Aspirin affects blood clotting. When you have diabetes, taking a daily aspirin can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. In fact, daily aspirin therapy is recommended for most people who have diabetes. Ask your doctor about aspirin therapy and the best dose for you.
8. Don’t smoke
If you smoke or use other types of tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit. Smoking increases the risk of many complications from diabetes, including heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney disease. In fact, according to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes who smoke are more than three times as likely to die from cardiovascular disease when compared to non-smokers. Talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking or other types of tobacco products.
9. If drinking alcohol, be cautious
How much alcohol you drink and whether you have eaten at the same time determines whether it causes hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. If you choose to drink alcohol, drink moderate amounts at meals and remember to add the calories from alcohol to your daily calorie count.
10.Take stress seriously
If you’re stressed, it’s easy to give up on your diabetes care routine. The body produces hormones that prolong stress, which interferes with insulin working properly, which can only make things worse. Take control of it, set boundaries, prioritize tasks, learn relaxation methods, and get enough sleep.
The most important thing is to stay active, diabetes care is in your control, and if you are willing to take action, diabetes will not get in the way of an active and healthy life.