Avoid complications of diabetes

Controlling your diabetes will help prevent heart, nerve and foot problems.

Here’s what you can do now.

Losing excess weight:

Moving toward a healthy weight helps control blood sugar.
Your doctor, dietician, and fitness coach can start a plan that will work for you.

Check your blood sugar level at least twice a day:

Consult your doctor, too, so you can track your progress and note how food and activity affect your levels.

Get A1c blood tests:

To find out your blood sugar level over the past two or three months.
Most people with type 2 diabetes should aim for an A1c of 7% or less.
Ask your doctor how often you need to get an A1c test.

Track Your Carbs:

Find out how many carbohydrates you eat and how often you eat them.
Carbohydrate management can help keep your blood sugar under control.
Choose high-fiber carbohydrates, such as green vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains.

Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels:

Diabetes makes heart disease more susceptible, so keep a close eye on your blood pressure and cholesterol.
Talk to your doctor about monitoring your cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.
Take medications as prescribed.

keep moving:

Regular exercise can help you reach or maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise also reduces stress and helps control blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Get at least 30 minutes a day of exercise 5 days a week.
Try walking, dancing, low-impact aerobics, swimming, tennis, or a stationary bike.
If you are not active now, start more slowly.
You can break up the 30 minutes – for example, by walking for 10 minutes after each meal.
Include strength training and stretching on some days, too.

Get enough sleep:

When you are sleep deprived, you tend to eat more, and you can gain weight, which leads to health problems.
People with diabetes who get enough sleep often have healthy eating habits and improved blood sugar levels.

Managing stress:

Stress and diabetes do not mix. 👌🏻
Excess stress can raise blood sugar levels.
But you can find relief by sitting quietly for 15 minutes, meditating, or doing yoga.

See your doctor:

Get a full checkup at least once a year, although you may talk to your doctor more often.
At your annual checkup, make sure you get an enlarged eye exam, blood pressure check, foot check, and checkups for other complications like kidney damage, nerve damage, and heart disease.

 Explore link https://www.nia.nih.gov