Life can change pretty unexpectedly. Rarely do we know for certain how our physical health will be in a few years. Getting diagnosed with diabetes can be a difficult time, so it’s vital to understand what your next steps are as soon as possible.
That’s why our medical team is here to break down a list of tips you can take home with you, whether you’ve been told you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. It’s important to both note the difference between the two and also specify how everyone’s body works a bit differently. By getting check ups regularly and sticking with guidelines, however, anyone can live a normal life with diabetes.
What to Expect With Diabetes Management in Pineville, NC
One of the most important parts of managing your diabetes will be monitoring your blood sugar levels. Depending on the severity and the type of diabetes you have, your doctor may give you medication to help you keep your levels as steady as possible. They will also advise you on the changes you will need to make in your daily life to stay healthy and how often you should have your blood sugar checked.
You may also be given a monitoring system and told to check your blood sugar a couple times a day. By logging your results for your doctor, you can help them better understand how your blood sugar levels fluctuate throughout the day and what foods affect you the most.
The Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Management
Diabetes comes in two different types because it can have different causes. That’s why it’s important to understand the distinction between them as you tackle your diabetes management plan.
People who have type 1 diabetes tend to develop it or start developing it early in their lives due to a pre-existing disorder or condition. Meanwhile, type 2 diabetes usually happens later in life and is the result of damage done to the body from a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, and an unhealthy diet. While not everyone who eats sugary food will develop type 2 diabetes, unhealthy foods and habits can increase someone’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
With type 1 diabetes you will mainly need to monitor spikes in your blood sugar levels and inject insulin into your bloodstream as needed. Meanwhile, type 2 diabetes requires more healthy eating and a more active lifestyle in general to combat and possibly reverse it. With that said, here are 5 tips to manage your diabetes regardless of which type you have.
Top 5 Diabetes Management Tips
Tip 1: Keep Up With Your Doctor Visits
Regular physical exams are necessary regardless of how healthy you are, and they can help you catch early signs of heart disease and cancer. However, they’re even more essential when you have diabetes. This helps your doctor properly evaluate you for any significant changes to how your blood sugar fluctuates.
From there, your doctor can recommend a change to your diet or exercise plan. Monitoring your levels will also help your doctor figure out if you need fast-acting or long-acting insulin.
Tip 2: Keep Up With Your Glucose Testing
When you go to your doctor’s appointment, you will have your glucose tested to help your doctor understand what your levels are at that moment. However, in some cases, you may need to test your blood sugar every day to ensure that you don’t encounter any significant spikes.
If you need to monitor your blood sugar every day, then your doctor will recommend a glucose monitor so you don’t have to go to your doctor to get checked each time. These monitoring systems typically come with testing strips and tiny needles to gently prick your fingers with.
Typically you will need to test yourself before you sit down and eat your first meal of the day or before you go to bed. However, it’s best to ask your doctor for the best times to test your blood sugar.
Tip 3: Stick With Your Doctor’s Plan for Diabetes Care
As stated before, everyone’s body is different, and no diabetes management plan is the same. For example, someone with type 1 diabetes may need to test their blood sugar levels four times a day. Meanwhile, someone with type 1 diabetes may not need to test every day.
Diet plays a huge role in how the body operates, and not everyone will benefit from the same diet either. That’s why it’s so important for your doctor to monitor you closely when you first get diagnosed with diabetes so they can give you a proper plan for your health.
Tip 4: Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy, balanced diet is the key to managing type 2 diabetes in particular. Those with type 1 diabetes may only need to watch their carb and sugar intake, but they will also benefit from a well-rounded diet.
It’s always a good idea to watch how many calories you take in and how many calories you expend. However, it’s also important to balance out your macros, which may look different from person to person. Your doctor can help you come up with a diet plan that suits your needs, especially if you want to lose weight or gain muscle.
Typically, however, you should try to not have a diet that is too high in carbs or saturated fats. Your total fat in a day should not be greater than 30% of your total calories in. Carbs should not exceed 325 grams in a day, depending on your exercise plan.
Tip 5: Walk as Much as You Can
Regular exercise is extremely important for the body because it helps keep your heart in shape and burns off the calories you don’t need before they store themselves in your body as fat. It’s also a wonderful way to manage your blood sugar levels.
Exercise, even if it’s just walking, will help your body react more to insulin, which means you won’t have to take as much to keep your levels stable. It also makes the muscles in your body use up more of the sugar that stays in your bloodstream.
No matter what your diagnosis is, we at Carolina Medical Associates are here to guide you every step of the way with our comprehensive services. At our office, we offer diabetes management in Pineville, NC that is designed to fit your specific needs, so you can carry on with your day without worry.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment with us so you can be seen by our team of caring professionals.
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