What you need to know about diabetes management for improved health

Managing diabetes effectively is essential for keeping blood sugar levels within a healthy range, reducing the risk of complications, and improving overall quality of life.

This guide provides an overview of this condition, management techniques, and how WeCare tlc can help you with diabetes care. Keep reading.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a health condition that affects how the body regulates blood sugar (glucose). There are three main types, and for each kind, the ability to produce or use insulin is compromised:

• Type 1 diabetes: The body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells, making insulin unavailable.
• Type 2 diabetes: The body either doesn’t use insulin effectively or doesn’t produce enough. Initially, the pancreas produces extra insulin to compensate; over time, it can no longer produce enough to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
• Gestational diabetes: It develops during pregnancy because the hormones produced by the placenta to support the baby’s growth can occasionally interfere with the mother’s insulin.

Why is diabetes management critical?

Managing diabetes is crucial for reducing the risk of severe complications like:

• Heart disease: High blood sugar can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease and related complications.
• Nerve damage: Elevated blood sugar levels can damage nerves, leading to pain, tingling, or loss of sensation, particularly in the hands and feet.
• Kidney issues: Diabetes can impair kidney function by damaging the blood vessels in the kidneys.
• Strokes: Uncontrolled blood sugar levels increase the risk of blood clots and blockages, which can lead to strokes.
• Vision problems: High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, leading to vision impairment or blindness over time.

Benefits of effective diabetes management

Effective diabetes management improves overall health and quality of life. By maintaining balanced blood sugar levels, patients can reduce the risk of serious complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, and kidney issues. It also helps to stabilize energy levels throughout the day, preventing the highs and lows that can leave you feeling fatigued.

Lifestyle changes for managing diabetes

• Healthy diet: A balanced diet with fiber-rich foods, healthy fats, and lean proteins helps lose and manage weight, stabilizes blood sugar levels, and provides sustained energy.
• Regular exercise: Physical activity helps regulate blood sugar as it makes your cells more responsive to insulin, allowing them to work more efficiently in lowering blood glucose levels. It also promotes weight management.
• Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces insulin resistance, making it easier for the body to use insulin effectively and keep blood sugar levels in check.
• Stress management: Stress can raise blood sugar by triggering the release of stress hormones. Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or mindfulness exercises can help reduce stress.
• Stop smoking: Stopping smoking can improve the way insulin works, improving your blood sugar level.

Managing diabetes through medication and insulin therapy

Medication and insulin therapy are essential for many patients to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

People with type 1 diabetes typically begin with two insulin injections per day, using two different types of insulin, and may increase to three or four injections daily. The insulin types and frequency depend on blood glucose levels. Research shows that multiple injections offer the best control and help prevent complications like eye, kidney, and nerve damage.

Most people with type 2 diabetes start with one insulin injection per day, sometimes combined with diabetes pills. If pills stop working, they may need two injections daily with different types of insulin and may eventually increase to three or four injections.

Blood sugar monitoring

Seeing how your body responds to food, medication, and activities, allows you to spot patterns and make timely adjustments to your diabetes management plan. It also enables early detection of significant fluctuations, helping you and your healthcare provider prevent complications.

• Monitoring Tools: Options include blood glucose meters and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
• Blood Sugar Levels: Keeping within recommended ranges helps prevent complications and provides a clear picture of how well your management plan is working.

Signs that you need to adjust your diabetes management plan

Certain symptoms can signal that your diabetes management plan needs adjustment. Common indicators of poorly managed diabetes include:

• Fatigue
• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Numbness or tingling in hands and feet

If you experience these symptoms, seeking medical advice is essential, as they may indicate high or low blood sugar levels. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are also crucial for monitoring your overall diabetes management and making necessary adjustments to prevent complications.

Potential side effects and risks of diabetes medications

Diabetes medications can be effective in managing blood sugar but may come with side effects that vary depending on the type of medication. Some common side effects include weight gain and digestive issues, such as nausea and diarrhea, fluid retention, and swelling.

Regular consultation with your healthcare provider is essential to monitor for these side effects and address any concerns promptly. Adjusting the dosage, switching medications, or making lifestyle changes may help minimize risks while maintaining effective blood sugar control.

Healthy eating tips

Eat healthy plant foods

Plants provide vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates in your diet. Carbohydrates from plants include sugars and starches — the energy sources for your body — and fiber. Fiber-rich foods promote weight loss and lower the risk of diabetes.

Eat a variety of healthy, fiber-rich foods, which include:

• Fruits, such as tomatoes, peppers, and fruit from trees
• Nonstarchy vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli and cauliflower
• Legumes, such as beans, chickpeas and lentils
• Whole grains, such as whole-wheat pasta and bread, whole-grain rice, whole oats, and quinoa

Eat healthy fats

To help lose and manage weight, your diet should include a variety of foods with unsaturated fats, sometimes called “good fats.”

Sources of good fats include:

• Olive, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, and canola oils
• Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, peanuts, flaxseed and pumpkin seeds
• Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna and cod

Try this simple strategy: Divide your plate to help you make good food choices and eat appropriate portions.

• One-half: fruit and nonstarchy vegetables
• One-quarter: whole grains
• One-quarter: protein-rich foods, such as legumes, fish or lean meats

How WeCare tlc can help

At WeCare tlc, we provide comprehensive care for diabetes management and other chronic conditions in our onsite and near-site employer-sponsored clinics, making it easier for employees to access essential healthcare services conveniently at their workplace or nearby locations.

Our services include primary care for routine check-ups, preventive care, and management of chronic conditions like diabetes. Our health centers provide diabetic supplies, insulins, and other first-line medications for diabetes at no cost to the patient, as well as the routine labs that are needed to check patient levels to ensure they are on the right treatment plan.

Additionally, we provide nurse health coach services, where our trained professionals work one-on-one with patients to help with lifestyle adjustments. These services include personalized guidance on diet, exercise, and weight control, all of which are essential for effective diabetes management.

Sources:
American Diabetes Association
Mayo Clinic | Diabetes Prevention