Bonitas Member Magazine B-Living Issue 3 | Page 25

Role players in your care
Your primary Family Practitioner is central to your diabetes care and will be able to refer you to
relevant specialists. Nominating one Family Practitioner to coordinate your care will assist in
ensuring you receive appropriate care, your medicine is managed effectively and you don’t follow
conflicting treatment plans that may cause harm.
Your nominated Family Practitioner will work with the following healthcare
providers to help manage your diabetes:
Endocrinologist Ophthalmologist
Diagnosis of diseases related to glands
and hormones Treatment of disorders and diseases of the
eyes
Pharmacist Cardiologist
Preparation and dispensing of medicinal
drugs Treatment of heart diseases and related
abnormalities
Biokineticist Podiatrist
Exercise therapy in alliance with health
and medicine Diagnosis and treatment of conditions of
the feet, ankles and related structures of
the legs
Nephrologist Dietician
Diagnosis and management of kidneys
and related diseases Diet prescription and nutrition
Simple yet effective lifestyle changes
Making healthy lifestyle choices does not have to be complicated. Regular exercise is important because it helps to
improve blood glucose control (not to mention improves fitness and lowers the risk of heart disease). It’s important
to discuss an exercise plan with your Family Practitioner. A five to 10 minute brisk walk in the morning and another
walking session in the afternoon is a good start.
Work your way to a goal of 30 minutes of exercise each day on most days of the week. Monitoring your glucose
levels before, during and after exercise may become very important and your Family Practitioner can guide you on
this. Healthy eating is essential in diabetes self-management. You don’t need special foods, but you should focus on
choosing more of the healthier food options. Choose non-starchy vegetables (spinach, broccoli), fruit, lean proteins
(fish, lean meat and legumes) and wholegrains. Limit your intake of high-carbohydrate snacks such as cakes and
cookies and try to watch your portion size.
B-Living Issue 3, 2017
Page 24