HEALTH TALK: 12 tips to avoid diabetes complications

Dr. Victor Emanuel MD

1. CHOOSE CARBOHYDRATES CAREFULLY

Diabetes doesn’t mean you have to cut out carbs completely. Choose carbohydrates that break down in the body slowly, providing steady energy. Go for whole grains, beans, nuts, and fresh vegetables and fruits. Yes, you can eat fruit even though it’s sweet. It’s about eating the right amounts of carbohydrates, including fruit, at each meal or snack.

2. LOSE WEIGHT IF YOU NEED TO

Start small. If you are overweight, shedding just a few pounds can improve the body’s ability to use insulin. It will help lower your blood sugar and improve your blood pressure and blood fats. You’ll also have more energy. If you’re ready, aim to burn more calories than you eat. To start, try cutting fat and calories from your diet, such as chips or fries.

3. GET ENOUGH SLEEP

Getting too much or too little sleep can increase you appetite and cravings for high-carb foods. That can lead to weight gain, increasing your risk for complications such as heart disease. So shoot for seven or eight hours of sleep a night. If you have sleep apnea, treating it can improve your sleep and lower your blood sugar levels.

4. BE ACTIVE: EXERCISE AND DIABETES

Choose something you like – dancing, walking, biking, or just marching in place while you’re on the phone. Do it half-hour a day; work up to that if you need to. Exercise can help you lower your cardiovascular risks, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels, and keep your weight down. Exercise also relieves stress and may help you cut back on diabetes medication.

5. MONITOR YOUR BLOOD SUGAR DAILY

You ought to know you’re supposed to check it. And actually checking your blood glucose levels can help you avoid diabetes complications, like nerve pain, or keep them from getting worse. Checking it can also help you see how food and activities affect you, and if your treatment plan is working. Your doc can help you set a target glucose level range. The closer you get to your target the better you’ll feel.

6. MANAGE STRESS

Stress can cause a diabetic’s glucose level to rise. Get rid of whatever physical or mental stresses you can. Learn coping techniques to deal with others. Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation may be especially effective if you have type 2 diabetes.

7. SAY NO TO SALT

Reduce the salt in your diet. It may help lower blood pressure and protect your kidneys. Not salting the food on your plate may not be enough. A lot of the salt in your diet comes from processed foods. Avoid convenience foods and use fresh ingredients when you can. Season with herbs and spices instead of salt when you cook.

Adults aged 51 and older, and individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic  kidney disease should reduce their sodium intake to 1500 mg a day – that’s less than half a teaspoon of salt.

8. HEART DISEASE RISK AND DIABETES

Heat disease can be a serious diabetes complication. Keep an eye on your risk by getting these ABC’s checked.

A 1c level. This is a measure of your average blood sugar control for the last 2-3 months. You may need it checked two or more times a year. Talk to your doc about setting a goal, but one has actually been set for you. Still, discussion is encouraged.

Blood pressure. Goal: below 130/80 mmHg, depending on your doctor.

Cholesterol: Goal: LDL (Bad cholesterol) below 100 mg/dl; HDL (Good cholesterol) above 40 mg/dl; and triglycerides below 150mg/dl.

9. TAKE CARE OF BUMPS AND BRUISES

Diabetes raises your risk of infection and slows healing so treat even simple cuts and scrapes quickly.  Properly clean your wound and use an antibiotic cream and sterile bandage.  See doc if it’s not better in a few days. Check your feet every day for blisters, cuts, sores, redness, or swelling. Moisturize them to prevent cracks.

10. BREAK YOUR SMOKING HABIT

Diabetics who smoke are twice as likely to die prematurely than those who don’t. Quitting helps your heart and lungs. Quitting lowers your blood pressure and risk of stroke, heart attack, nerve damage, and kidney disease. Ask doc about help for quitting tobacco.

11. PICK SUPER FOODS, DON’T SUPERSIZE

There’s no single diabetes diet. But here are basics to keep in mind. Enjoy super foods like berries, sweet potatoes, fish with omega-3 fatty acids, and dark green leafy vegetables. Look at food labels and avoid saturated fat and trans fats. Instead, opt for mono and polyunsaturated fats like olive oil.

12. SET UP DOCTOR VISITS

Expect to see your doctor up to four times a year. If you take insulin or need help balancing your sugar levels. you may need to visit more often. Also get an annual physical and eye exam. You should be screened for eye, nerve, and kidney damage, and other complications. See a dentist twice a year. And be sure to tell all health care providers that you have diabetes.

See you next week.

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10 Comments

  1. keshni
    January 30, 2013

    :-D :-P

  2. shy
    June 1, 2012

    thanks doc

  3. angel
    May 31, 2012

    thank u

    • angel
      May 31, 2012

      thank u doc, i wish all diabetic read this.. and educate them self and also those who are health concious, im looking forward for more information about our health…

  4. Deborah Peters
    May 31, 2012

    Good work doc I appreciate the information very much helps us to see that we can try to do our best so that our condition won’t get worse.

  5. strength
    May 31, 2012

    thanks doc u really take the time to educate us love u doc

  6. Doc
    May 30, 2012

    Also don’t Forget to Drink Alot of water :-D

  7. May 30, 2012

    Thanks Doc, very informative and very caring!

  8. Woodford Hill girl
    May 30, 2012

    Thank you doc,good advice keep em coming.

  9. take it or leave it
    May 30, 2012

    Good information once again Doc keep up the good work god bless

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