Managing your diabetes is not limited to monitoring your blood glucose levels. Proper diabetes management also includes getting regular medical care and living a healthy lifestyle.

Following a diabetic diet helps ensure that the person with diabetes is eating a well-balanced diet. The dietician may recommend a traditional diabetic diet or counting carbohydrates for diabetes management.

Exercising helps the body use glucose in the blood. People with diabetes who is overweight could have an easier time managing diabetes if they lose extra weight. Exercising three or four days a week for half an hour at a time is often recommended. Regular exercise can also reduce the risk of heart disease which is a common problem for people with diabetes.

A regular sleep schedule is recommended for people with diabetes. Getting enough sleep should be a priority for people with diabetes. If the person is having trouble sleeping, the sleep problems should be reported to the physician.

Diabetes management includes stress management since stress can negatively impact blood glucose levels. The physician or a therapist can teach the person with diabetes how to manage stress with techniques like progressive relaxation.

Drinking alcoholic beverages should be avoided by people who have diabetes, especially if they have complications of diabetes or high levels of triglycerides. Consuming alcohol can worsen complications of diabetes that are related to nerve damage.

Drinking alcohol may cause low blood sugar because alcohol interferes with the liver’s production of glucose. People with diabetes may be at serious risk of low blood sugar if they consume alcohol.

Getting prompt medical treatment for sores on the feet can help prevent serious diabetes complications related to foot health. A sore on the foot can easily become infected and can lead to gangrene and the need for amputation.

Blood glucose levels need to be checked routinely as the physician advises. If a diabetic patient is having difficulty maintaining healthy blood glucose levels, they should not delay notifying the doctor of this difficulty. Blood glucose levels that are not well-controlled can increase the risk of diabetes complications.

People with diabetes need to keep regular check-ups with their physicians as well as get annual eye exams and regular dental exams. Any signs of diabetes complications like numbness in the hands or feet should be reported promptly to the physician.

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