If you have diabetes, it’s important to manage it well. This means taking care of your health and preventing long-term effects of the condition. Diabetes is a disease in which the body has difficulty processing sugar, resulting in high blood sugar levels. The glucose in the blood cannot get to the cells because something is blocking the way. This causes the symptoms of diabetes. There are many ways to treat diabetes and prevent the serious health problems it can cause.
Diabetes rarely occurs on its own. In many cases, obesity, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels are present. The risk of heart disease and stroke is increased. That is why every diabetes therapy should be accompanied by nutritional advice.
Healthy food
For people with diabetes, a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and legumes is important. This will help them manage their diabetes and stay healthy. A healthy diet significantly reduces the risk of secondary diseases. We’ll give you a few pointers on a healthy diabetes diet.
Diabetics should limit the amount of fat they eat to keep the body healthy. Saturated fat is not good for your heart and can lead to weight gain. You should avoid eating foods that are high in saturated fat and instead eat foods that are high in unsaturated fat.
Whole wheat bread, pasta, and cereal are healthy options, as are lean sources of protein. Your diet should be rich in fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and whole grains. You should avoid foods high in refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, pasta, and sugary drinks. These products target your blood sugar and increase your triglycerides. It is important to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
You should also work on reducing your body weight. Reducing your body weight by 5-10% can halve your risk of developing diabetes. Losing weight can be simple and easy – you just have to know how. If you want to lose weight, don’t go hungry – create a regular eating plan. A good nutrition plan can help you better regulate your weight and blood sugar levels. A balanced diet will also increase your energy levels and make you feel better.
Sport and Exercise
If your insulin levels are too high or blood sugar is too low, it’s important to stop exercising immediately. Otherwise, you risk hypoglycemia and can suffer a life-threatening shock. If you find yourself in a similar situation, it is important to seek medical help. Especially as an athlete, make sure that your medication is adapted and up to date. As long as you can keep your blood sugar levels under control, you can and should exercise.
Walking is the most important daily exercise that diabetics should perform. So just go for a walk. In addition to walking, people with diabetes can also engage in other forms of exercise to manage their condition.
Swimming is an excellent way to get your heart rate up and make your body work harder. Other activities that require strong muscles include gardening and digging. Exercise can help improve your physical health and make your body more efficient at using insulin.
When choosing exercise for diabetes, keep in mind that the type of activity you choose will depend on your specific needs and lifestyle. There are many benefits that can be obtained by mixing a variety of activities.
Medication
The key to effectively treating diabetes is to keep blood sugar levels under control with medication. There are many types of medications used to treat diabetes, including insulin and metformin. These drugs are effective in lowering blood sugar levels by controlling the liver’s ability to process sugar. There are other medications for diabetes, such as pramlintide (not approved in Germany), that can help the body use insulin more effectively. Controlling blood sugar levels helps the body’s organs work properly.
There are two common problems associated with diabetes: inflammation and poor circulation. The problems are especially common in the farthest areas to the heart, including the feet and legs. If an untreated infection occurs, the affected limb may even need to be amputated. Therefore, pay attention to this and go to your family doctor in good time.
There are two ways to administer medication for diabetes, either through injections or oral tablets. Type 1 diabetics need to inject insulin into their bloodstream daily to compensate for their pancreas not being able to produce the hormone. Type 2 diabetes can often be treated through weight loss, a healthier diet, and more exercise.
Tests to determine if you have diabetes
Many people ask themselves in the course of their lives: Do I have diabetes? If you’re worried you might have diabetes, the best first step is to get tested. So, if necessary, you can immediately start treatment. A blood test to measure insulin levels will be done at your GP’s office. This test is a simple blood test that measures blood sugar levels.
Several tests can help diagnose diabetes. The first test measures your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. The second test, called the A1C test, measures how much blood sugar is bound to the hemoglobin in your red blood cells. The higher the A1C level, the higher the risk of diabetes. The A1C test is also known as “blood sugar memory”.
If you have type 2 diabetes, you need to have your insulin levels checked regularly by yourself and by a healthcare professional.
Recognizing diabetes symptoms
Proper treatment of diabetes begins with a proper diagnosis. Symptoms of diabetes include high blood sugar, fatigue, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Your doctor may perform additional tests, including an electrocardiogram and a cardiac tension test, to determine the severity of your diabetes.
It’s important to educate yourself and your family about the warning signs of diabetes. In this way, you can be more confident in detecting complications of this disease and getting the treatment you need. Tell friends and family about how hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia (also known as hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia) manifests itself and what to do.
About 10% of the population has diabetes, and most cases develop before the age of 30. While most diabetics are overweight, not all individuals are. Since the disease occurs in four percent of all pregnancies, special attention is paid to it during pregnancy and the blood sugar level is additionally monitored.
Prevent complications
The best way to treat diabetes is to avoid complications. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves. This is especially true for the extremities that are farthest from the heart, the fingers and the toes first. If you develop an infection or wound there, it will be very difficult to heal. It is therefore important to constantly regulate blood sugar levels and, if necessary, to wear supportive shoes to prevent serious problems.
The other complications of diabetes are often associated with other diseases such as heart and kidney disease. People with diabetes are more likely to suffer from nerve damage and problems with their eyes and feet. Today, fortunately, diabetes can be effectively treated and its effects reduced with appropriate treatment.