Diabetes is a chronic health condition in one’s body when blood sugar or glucose levels spike.
When this condition is not handled appropriately, the blood glucose level remains at an all-time high, leading to kidney damage, loss of vision, and limb amputations.
Although there is no complete cure for diabetes, managing it through simple lifestyle changes and taking medications as prescribed can help you remain within the target range of glucose, preventing any adverse health consequences. In our post today, we will explain the most effective way to manage diabetes: through diet, exercise, medications, and routine blood sugar checks to help you live a healthier and longer life.
The foods we consume get broken down further, converting to glucose or sugar that gets released into our bloodstream. While the blood sugar levels spike, it signals your pancreas to release insulin hormones.
Insulin functions to allow blood sugar derived from the food you consume to be used by the cells throughout the body to release energy. It allows more sugar to be stored in the form of energy for future use. A diabetic individual can fail to generate enough insulin, or their body fails to use the insulin it produces, leading to glucose spikes that circulate throughout the blood.
With the passing of time, higher blood glucose levels or conditions critically termed as hyperglycemia lead to severe health issues. It is essential to undertake proactive steps for effective diabetes management and controlling glucose levels that circulate in the blood to stay healthy.
Effective and consistent monitoring of blood glucose levels is key to managing diabetes. Understanding the common symptoms of high and low blood sugar can help prevent potential health issues. Therefore, it is vital to identify the real causes.
Knowing everything about symptoms helps people take prompt action to manage their health. If you experience any of the symptoms, it is important to take the right measures to bring blood sugar levels under control or get medical advice immediately if necessary.
A study conducted a couple of years back found that healthier lifestyle management is beneficial for individuals with Type 2 diabetes. These approaches often delay or prevent the development of the disease while managing it or potentially putting it into remission. So, here are a couple of healthier lifestyle practices that are effective in reducing blood sugar levels.
Regular physical activities and exercises can be effective in managing weight and increasing insulin sensitivity. A higher level of insulin sensitivity indicates that cells have the potential to use glucose in the bloodstream.
You may often wonder how to exercise safely with diabetes. There are numerous ways to do so, as exercises help your muscles use blood sugar for muscle contraction and energy. If you deal with blood sugar issues, ensure that you routinely check your levels before and after exercising. This will help you learn how your body responds to various activities and keep your blood sugar at optimal levels.
You may benefit through the shorter sessions even if you have issues in spending time exercising week long. For instance, try a 10-minute exercise session three times a day for 5 days with a target of achieving 150 minutes each week. The commonly termed “exercise snacks” can even overcome the damage that sitting for prolonged periods would do. Exercise snacks mean you are breaking your sitting time every half an hour or for a couple of minutes throughout the day. A few of the best exercises for lowering blood sugar include simple resistance exercises like leg raises, squares, or light walking.
The carb intake staunchly impacts the blood glucose levels. Your body starts breaking down the carbs into sugars or glucose. Later, insulin can help your body use and store it to derive energy. The process fails when you consume way too many carbs or have insulin-functioning problems, leading to a spike in blood sugar levels. So, there are several foods for healthy blood sugar levels.
As reported by the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes are suggested to manage their overall carb intake by counting the carbs and knowing how much they require for daily activities. Counting on the carbs helps with effective meal planning that enhances blood sugar management. This is the perfect answer to your query about How to control blood sugar for seniors with diabetes.
A low-carb diet can effectively lower blood sugar levels and prevent them from rising. It is worth noting that low- or no-carb diets vary. While monitoring your blood sugar, you can eat and add some carbs. However, focusing on carb intake from whole grains or unprocessed sources offers more nutritional value and lowers blood sugar levels.
Fiber can slow down the digestion of carbohydrates and the absorption of sugar, helping to increase blood sugar levels gradually. Generally, there are two types of fiber: insoluble and soluble.
Although both fibers are essential, soluble fibers have been shown to have a huge impact on blood sugar management. In contrast, insoluble fiber has not been revealed to have a similar impact. A higher fiber-rich diet can enhance the ability of the body to regulate and reduce blood sugar levels. It helps you in the effective management of diabetes.
There is a strong connection between hydration and blood sugar control. Drinking sufficient water can help your blood sugar levels stay in a healthy range. It also prevents dehydration and assists your kidneys in flushing out excessive sugar through urine. A study noted that individuals who consumed more water had a lower risk of developing higher blood sugar levels.
Drinking water regularly rehydrates blood, lowering blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of diabetes. Remember that water and other zero-calorie drinks are best for hydration. Avoiding sugar-based options is perfect since they increase blood sugar levels, leading to unwanted weight gain and increasing the risk of diabetes. So, it is the best morning and night routine for diabetics and stay hydrated.
The two vital indicators of better diabetes control are blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels. Measuring glycated hemoglobin requires a thorough blood test in a doctor’s office, but a person can even measure their blood glucose levels at home. This is a highly potential method for individuals managing diabetes during pregnancy. Avoiding this may lead to serious complications.
Doctors often advise that people using insulin monitor their glucose levels closely. The frequency of these checks varies among individuals, but doctors often suggest monitoring the levels right before and after meals, at bedtime, or before exercising.
Diabetics who are not taking insulin in some way or the other should keep their blood sugar levels under check. Self-monitoring can offer details about the impact of dietary changes, physical activities, and medications on blood sugar levels.
Get Enough Quality Sleep
So, how does poor sleep impact blood sugar levels?
Studies have discovered that getting less than optimal sleep or a lack of rest can impact blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, increasing the chances of developing diabetes. Adequate sleep is all about quantity and quality. Adults are often recommended to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
Stress has a huge impact on the body’s blood sugar levels. Whenever under stress or duress, your body starts secreting hormones considered as cortisol or glucagon, leading to blood sugar spikes. So, how to handle blood sugar fluctuations during illness? Here are a few strategies worth a try.
Relaxation methods like yoga or mindfulness stress reduction or exercises might help to rectify insulin secretion issues among individuals with chronic illnesses or diabetes getting medical treatment.
A few individuals might manage diabetes by making some changes in their diet and lifestyle in association with oral medication, while others are in need of oral medications, insulin, or a combination of both. If you have Type 1 diabetes, then you might have to take insulin. But, for type 2 diabetes, there are various treatment options made available.
Both oral medications and insulin aim to reduce glucose circulation in the blood. It is essential to take medications as suggested by your healthcare provider and report any issues with their use to the provider. If you wish to add a natural supplement for diabetes management, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider. This helps ensure that there are no interactions with your recent routine.
Although there is no cure for diabetes, there are steps that individuals can take to manage it effectively at home. In most cases, this means adhering to dietary and medication regimens. Smoking is detrimental to managing diabetes, and support programs help people quit. Exercise and a healthy weight are critical for people with diabetes or prediabetes. A diabetes care team can help patients develop fitness plans tailored to their unique needs. Blood sugar meters and continuous glucose monitors will help patients track their progress and the impact of their self-management methods.
