It’s estimated that over 3.9 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with diabetes. If you fall into this category, you need to take the condition seriously. Taking care of yourself and managing your diabetes will enable you to lead a healthy and fulfilling life, as well as decrease the risk of getting seriously ill.
When living with diabetes, it’s common to feel sad, angry, or overwhelmed. To help you cope with the condition and keep your wellbeing in check, here are some tips to take on board.
Alter Your Diet
Those living with diabetes must make alterations to their diet. This includes making healthier choices, such as eating more fruits and vegetables. You can get help from the London Diabetes Centre which can help you make dietary changes. They also have a guide on everything you need to know about diabetes. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with the condition and are wondering what is diabetes, you can learn effective methods on how to manage it, and what foods to avoid.
Take Your Medicines
If there is one thing you must do when managing your diabetes, it’s to remember to take your medicines. You should take it even when you feel good. Your GP may prescribe oral medication or insulin. These can help get you to your target blood glucose levels. You may be advised to take low-dose aspirin too. This can lower your risk of a heart attack.
Check Your Numbers
Monitoring your blood pressure and blood glucose is essential. They need to remain in the recommended ranges to stay safe if you have diabetes. While there is the option to do this at home, you may prefer to leave this up to a professional. Your GP or private specialist can conduct tests to determine your levels, as well as what changes you need to make to stay within the advised range.
Get Active
Regular exercise is good for diabetes. Whether you’re able to go for a swim, run, or can only manage some arm-stretches, anything is better than nothing. Physical activity lowers your blood glucose levels, as well as increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin. Before doing any physical activity, it’s best to check with your doctor first. They can recommend exercises suitable for the type of diabetes you have.
Examine Your Feet
Anyone who has diabetes should have a foot check annually with their GP. The reason for this is you’re at a higher risk of developing serious foot problems. In the worst-case scenario, this can lead to amputations. Make sure you inspect your feet each day. If you notice any calluses or sores, you should book a doctor’s appointment immediately. Other things to look out for include cramp-line pains, discomfort, and blisters.
Living with diabetes doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. Sure, you will have to take more responsibility and be mindful of your day-to-day actions. However, once you get into a routine and know what to do, you can lead an excellent quality of life, well managing your diabetes effectively.
