Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the person cannot metabolize glucose in the blood efficiently. The body becomes desensitized to insulin or produces it in insufficient quantities. This can lead to many other problems like vision loss, heart problems, kidney failure, amputations and hypertension in the patient.
There are many things you can do to avoid diabetes complications. Here are a few tips:
Losing excess weight can help you deal with your diabetes better. A healthy weight helps control the blood sugar levels and lead to fewer fluctuations in your glucose levels. Plus, being lean will ensure that your heart and your kidneys are not unnecessarily taxed.
Keeping a constant watch on your blood glucose levels will ensure that you control major deviations from the set ranges. Keep a diary to track the effect of food and diet on your sugar levels.
Read More: Understanding Blood Sugar Levels
By keeping track of the amount and the kind of carbohydrates you are eating will help you figure out which ones are good for you. Choose high-fibre carbs, preferably with a low glycemic index to manage diabetes optimally.
High cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglyceride levels are bad for your body. With diabetes, the body’s immunity decreases. Also, the rest of the organs are pressurized to deal with elevated blood glucose levels. Keeping these parameters in check helps the body to deal with diabetes better and protects the heart and the kidneys from damage.
Exercising not only keeps your blood sugar levels under control but also keeps your weight in check. It reduces stress, detoxifies the body and brings down cholesterol levels. Walking, dancing, yoga, swimming are all great alternatives to burn calories. If you haven’t been very active, start slow and build up your workouts. Read more health benefits of exercise.
Those who do not sleep well at night end up eating more and putting on more weight. Sleep on time and for enough hours to provide ample rest to your body. Those who sleep better show more stable blood sugar levels. Also, sleep helps the body repair itself. If you are having trouble sleeping, follow a sleep routine that could include meditation, listening to soothing music, or reading.
Also Read: Tips to Avoid Breakthrough Seizures: A Comprehensive Guide
After genetics, stress is one of the leading causes of diabetes. Too much stress elevates the blood sugar levels, makes you eat more, sleep less and causes havoc with your daily life. Learn to meditate or find ways to not stress yourself out. Read more different types of relaxation techniques that help you de-stress.
Tobacco in any form is harmful to the body. And there are no safe levels of drinking alcohol. One should stay away from these unhealthy habits when aiming for a healthy life.
Consult your diabetologist regularly and follow the prescription sincerely. Never skip your diabetes medications or stop them without a doctor’s advice. Medications for diabetes can help maintain your blood sugars in a healthy range and, when combined with the above-mentioned measures, can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.
Follow the above steps and figure out what works best for you. Diabetes can be controlled and many people live a quality life by ensuring their glucose levels don’t fluctuate too much.
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
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If you have already given upon on your New Year’s fitness resolutions, 7th April 2016 might be a good time to renew them. The theme for this year is Beat Diabetes which appears apt considering the increased amount of sugar in our diet.
The Beginning
In 1948, the WHO held the First World Health Assembly. The Assembly decided to celebrate 7 April of each year, with effect from 1950, as World Health Day. The World Health Day is held to mark WHO’s founding and is seen as an opportunity by the organization to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year.
2016: Beat Diabetes
The WHO is focusing this year’s World Health Day, on 7 April 2016, on diabetes – a largely preventable and treatable non-communicable disease that is rapidly increasing in numbers in many countries, most dramatically in low- and middle-income countries.
Simple lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes, including maintaining normal body weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating a healthy diet. Diabetes can be controlled and managed to prevent complications through diagnosis, self-management education, and affordable treatment. The WHO estimates about 350 million people in the world have diabetes, with the disease the direct cause of some 1.5 million deaths.
Diet and Physical activity are important parts of an individual’s diabetes management plan. When you exercise, your muscles use sugar (glucose) for energy. Regular physical activity along with diet modifications help your body use insulin more efficiently. These factors work together to lower your blood sugar level.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D
The goals of WHD 2016 are
(1) Scale-up prevention
(2) Strengthen care
(3) Enhance surveillance.
As a method to spread awareness, WHO has come up with innovative posters regarding the theme, Beat Diabetes.
Diabetes is a ‘silent’ disease in its early stages, and you may feel perfectly well until complications occur. However, a late diagnosis can result in serious and irreversible complications that could have been otherwise prevented through health screening
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Interested?
If you wish to participate or organize an event on World Health Day 2016: Beat Diabetes, you can sign up on the WHO website. Set up your own local World Health Day event where you can discuss and share information, messages for the Day. Who do you want to help educate: Your local schools? Organizations or clubs? Perhaps even your local leaders?
Sign up for the event on the following link: Link Expired.
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