Use healthcare team to better control blood sugar
Diabetes can be a devastating disease if left alone to progress faster. Take some action to make lifestyle changes that can keep your blood sugars in a normal range.
All these options can help to slow diabetes progression. Identify one or two changes to make each week. Make a plan to make these changes.
•If you are overeating, cut your portions of food in half. Or use a smaller plate, order a smaller meal or share a meal.
If eating out, get a to-go box when you order your meal — put in the extra food above and beyond your allotted portion.
•Contact your health care provider to make sure you are taking your prescribed medication correctly. Call your health care provider if you have questions or need help to make changes.
•If you haven’t had lab results in the past 3 months, ask your healthcare provider if it is time to check your labs. Know where you are starting to be able to measure your success in making changes.
•Be prepared with good food choices. Have sources of protein available at all times. Take snacks with you when you go to work, or leave the house. Protein sources are key to keep you from being hungry so soon.
•Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Winter brings cooler temperatures; we aren’t nearly as thirsty. Most people are not drinking enough water throughout the day. Kidneys need water to filter our blood. Limiting our water intake can put stress on our kidneys to be able do their job efficiently.
•The blood sugar problem in diabetes occurs when food is put into the body. If the patient only checks blood sugars in the morning before eating, the blood sugars may look fairly well controlled. Once in a while, check a 2 hour after-meal blood sugar. It is important to check daily blood sugars at home and bring those records to all appointments. These blood sugars can help your diabetes team evaluate how well your medications are working and identify any outstanding high or low blood sugars.
•Get regular physical activity daily. The effects of your walk or biking can last for 24 hours, making your uptake of sugar by your cells more efficient, lowering blood sugars.
To control the rate of progression the diabetes makes in your body, we know from our research that we can slow that progression with good control of blood sugars.
So, choose healthy food options and only eat healthy portions, stay active daily, take your medications as prescribed, and check your blood sugars daily bringing those records to see your diabetes care team regularly.
Susan Smith, Ph.D., CDE, is a nationally Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a specialist in the field of diabetes since 1988. Since 2002 she has worked with patients individually through all of the internal medicine and family practice providers at Visalia Medical Clinic. Susan also leads the monthly diabetic support groups from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 and Monday, March 9 at the clinic, which are open to all community members and family members.