Staying healthy with diabetes means taking small steps each day to keep body, mind and spirit strong. Here are the basics:
- Commit. Diabetes can be handled only with the help of a medical
professional. You cannot do it alone. Your team should include an
endocrinologist (diabetes specialist), podiatrist (to keep feet healthy
and avoid complications), eye doctor, a nutritionist and an exercise
expert to help you manage weight. Call (800) DIABETES to get a free
copy of the American Diabetes Association's guide "A Doctor Visit
Planning Tool."
- Control. To manage diabetes, you have to know your body and know your numbers: Normal blood sugar after random testing ranges from 70 to about 120. If you're between 150 or 200 you have pre-diabetes and are at high risk. Higher than 200, you probably have diabetes. Your A1C test should be done every three months. It tells your blood sugar levels over time and helps keep watch for heart disease and other risks.
- Learn. The more you know, the more control you have over diabetes. To read about the disease, find support groups, understand medication, go to: diabetes.org or cdc.gov/diabetes and look at all of the great resources available to you.
- Move. Being sedentary dramatically increases your risk of diabetes and makes it tougher to manage the disease. Aerobic exercise helps your body use insulin, so make sure you get at least 30 minutes a day (60 to lose weight).
- Relax. Some studies show stress may increase your risk of developing diabetes, and it may make the disease worse. So find a way ease tension and anxiety. Meditate, pray, do yoga--whatever it takes to make time for you. -- Sheree Crute
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