Diabetes and YOU
By: Donna Burley, RN CM
By: Martha Massey RN, BSN, CCM
LIVING WITH DIABETES AND LEARNING HOW TO MANAGE IT SUCCESSFULLY
Diabetes is a disease of high blood sugar. Having diabetes, means your body either does not make enough insulin or does not use insulin well or both. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas to move sugar from your blood into your cells to make energy. There are 3 types of diabetes. Type 1- The body does not make its own insulin, formerly known as“ Juvenile Diabetes.” Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age. It requires daily insulin given by a needle injection or an insulin pump. Type 2-The body does not use its own insulin well and or doesn’ t produce enough. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adulthood. This type of diabetes requires a change in lifestyle, including healthy eating, regular physical activity, oral medication, insulin injections and or insulin pump. Type 3-Gestional diabetes occurs during pregnancy in which the blood sugar becomes elevated. After birth, the blood sugar levels usually return to normal.
Managing diabetes requires daily decisions about the foods you eat, how much you eat and when you eat. All these factors can affect your blood sugar levels. Portion control is just as important as managing your food choices.
" Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age. It requires daily insulin given by a needle injection or an insulin pump.."
A few tips to manage your diabetes:
1. Eating 3-5 fresh fruits and vegetables daily.
2. Choosing lean meats( beef, chicken, turkey or pork.)
3. Eating fish 2 to 3 times a week.
4. Choosing whole grains( breads and pasta).
5. Limiting sugary beverages.
6. Drinking water instead of soda or juices.
The next step is to incorporate regular physical activity 2-5 times a week for 30 minutes. For example: Brisk walking, dancing, swimming, bike riding, strength training, gardening or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Many people with diabetes need medication along with meal planning and physical activity to achieve blood sugar control. There is no known“ cure” for diabetes. However, you can live with diabetes with lifestyle changes and medical care. The longer you have uncontrolled diabetes, the more likely you will need insulin and may develop other health care problems such as heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, poor circulation and limb amputation.
Knowing your target numbers is very important. Monitoring you blood glucose can help you to achieve your target glucose numbers. Your health care provider will have you check your blood sugar level by using a glucometer or a continuous glucose monitor. Most people will often times check their blood sugar before meals and at bed time. Target blood glucose before meals should range from 70-130, and below 180, 2hours after a meal. Your healthcare provider will check an A1C level every 3-4 months which measures how well your blood glucose levels are being controlled over time. The average A1C level for a non-diabetic is less than 5.7. An A1C from 5.8 to 6.4 is considered prediabetes. Diabetes is considered when the AIC is 6.5 or more.
When you have diabetes, it is very important to get good medical care. You should receive your health care from a team of professionals put together by your healthcare provider. Your care team may include a certified diabetic educator, dietician, eye doctor and a foot doctor.
Living with diabetes can be a challenge and even emotionally difficult at times. Remember, you do not have to deal with this condition alone. Understanding that many other people with diabetes have similar feelings. With the support of your family, friends and health care team and your community you can manage your diabetes. There are well trained health care providers that will work with you step by step to teach you how to live with diabetes and manage it successfully.
Lovingly submitted Martha and Donna.
All the above information was gathered from the American Diabetes Association.
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