Getting Diabetes Under Control
It is said that nearly 25 million people have diabetes. That's nearly
8-10% of the U.S. Among those, tens of thousands are die each year from the disease. But the most amazing part of that story is that only a
little more than half of them even know they have diabetes. Meaning they have the disease, but they haven't been diagnosed by a medical doctor
for it yet.
It is also estimated that up to 45 million more people have pre-diabetes. That should open your eyes to how serious this
problem is becoming in our nation. So, that brings us to the million dollar question...
Can Diabetes Be Controlled?
Yes, diabetes can be controlled, but it will require attention paid to doing so. It will take monitoring, proper medication, and an overall
diet and exercise plan to make it work.
Determine to focus yourself and your goals on the things you can control. Remember that sudden changes in weight or activity levels are
problematic, so set a reasonable goal and work towards it slowly.
Keep Your Weight In Check
Even losing just 5-10 pounds can have a dramatic effect on improving diabetes. Make the changes to your diet that the medical professionals
suggest to you. Begin eating balanced meals on a good schedule. Be sure not to skip meals, and this applies even if you don't feel hungry.
Another important point is to avoid loading up on snacks in between meals. Stay on a schedule and you will see noticeable results quickly.
Weight loss needs to be on a slow and gradual basis. You don't want to lose weight too rapidly as you will inevitably crash and gain it all
back. You always see people who try these diets and within a few weeks or a month they fall off and start eating more than they did before.
Get Some Exercise
I know it's easy to say, but get some exercise. Nothing is better for diabetes than regular exercise. Make yourself a goal to exercise 3 times
a week to start. Every other day is great. Take a 30-minute walk, or do some cycling, swimming or weightlifting. The facts back this up, regular
physical exercise will decrease your blood sugar. It will also take off the weight and greatly lower your risk of heart disease or stroke.
It is important to wear comfortable and well fitting shoes and socks when exercising. Keep an eye on your feet regularly to spot any blisters,
cuts, or sore spots and let your doctor know about it.
Listen To The Professionals
Take the advice of your diabetes support team seriously. Your doctor, support group, therapist and other professionals will help you
realistically set your goals and outcomes. Be patient and give things time to work. Diabetes control is an ongoing activity, and you will need to
find the right level of exercise, diet, and medication that fits your needs.
Talk over any concerns that you have with your doctor if they are causing any problems. Remember that it is important to get information and
notify your health care professional if you are planning to use any diets or exercise programs before you begin. Monitor your heart rate and
blood pressure when exercising.
Diabetes can be controlled with medical and personal efforts. Making sure that you keep on your diet, manage your weight, and get regular
exercise will make keeping your diabetes under control easier and give you a much happier life.
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