Diabetes is a complex disease, but it is treatable. Each person is unique; so is their journey living with diabetes. No matter what your journey, the disease requires continuous management to ensure quality of life and to prevent serious complications that may be life-threatening. To manage diabetes effectively, you need to do the following:
Keep up with your healthcare appointments:
- General practitioner and dentist
- Diabetes educator
- Dietician
- Ophthalmologist
- Podiatrist
- Other healthcare professionals
Manage your glucose levels:
- Check your glucose levels regularly.
- Take your diabetes medicine as prescribed.
- Exercise regularly to keep fit, maintain a healthy weight, and to help regulate your blood glucose levels. Exercise is also a proven mood enhancer.
- Manage your stress levels. Stress management techniques include a 10-minute walk or meditation.
- Organise yourself and always keeping a positive attitude.
Practice good sleeping habits:
- Be consistent. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning.
- Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature.
- Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smartphones, from the bedroom.
- Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.
Plan your meals ahead:
- Plan what you will eat at each meal. Stick to your diabetes eating plan as far as possible.
- Keep healthy snacks with you to avoid snacking on empty calories.
Sources:
www.healthline.com
www.sleepeducation.org
www.mayoclinic.org
www.cdc.gov/
