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5 Tips for Living Well with Diabetes
It’s Diabetes Awareness Month. If you already live with this condition, you’re probably aware of key things about it, like the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
So today, instead of raising awareness about diabetes in general, we want to help people living with it lead healthier lives.
Pair these tips with diabetes care at Louisiana Heart and Vascular Institute offices in Covington, Franklinton, or Hammond, Louisiana. Our providers can help you apply this guidance and offer personalized recommendations to further support you in living well with diabetes.
1. Learn your ABCs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people diagnosed with diabetes educate themselves in a few key areas:
- A1C: Get regular testing. Our team can help you figure out what your target should be
- Blood pressure: Work to keep it in a healthy range (usually, under 120/80 mm Hg)
- Cholesterol: Get periodic testing and work to keep your cholesterol levels balanced
By focusing on those ABCs, you limit your risk of diabetes complications and also do a big favor for your overall wellness. Our Louisiana Heart and Vascular Institute team can help you monitor all of these categories.
2. Use your diet to your advantage
The American Diabetes Association urges people to “eat good to feel good.” The food you eat and the way you fill your plate can make it easier to control your blood sugar levels.
Aim to make half of your plate non-starchy vegetables (think: broccoli, salad, carrots). Then, dedicate a quarter of your plate to protein, leaving only a quarter for carbs. Your body breaks down carbs into blood sugar; eating too many can spike your glucose levels.
3. Get moving
Being active helps insulin work properly, making it easier for your body to eliminate excess glucose. In other words, physical activity helps your body regulate blood sugar levels.
Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day. It doesn’t have to be complicated. A brisk walk is enough.
4. Don’t smoke or quit smoking
Smoking takes a toll on more than just your lungs. It can decrease your good cholesterol levels and increase your risk of blood clots.
Plus, smoking makes it harder to control your blood sugar levels, which directly increases your risk of diabetes complications like nerve damage (diabetic retinopathy) and kidney disease.
5. Check your feet daily
Diabetes can lead to foot problems, but a quick and easy daily to-do helps lower your risk significantly. Make it a habit to check your feet, including the soles and between your toes, every day. Give them a quick look after you shower or before you go to bed, for example.
This check helps you catch any cuts, scrapes, blisters, or other issues early. Monitor them carefully. If an area isn’t healing, it’s probably a diabetic ulcer. Getting proper care helps you avoid infection and more serious problems.
These are general tips, but you deserve personalized care. Our team at Louisiana Heart and Vascular Institute can support you in leading your healthiest life with diabetes. Call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online today.
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