Diabetes is defined as a disease that happens when the blood glucose is too high. This disease is increasing around the world and is considered to be a major cause of kidney failure, vision loss and blindness, amputations and strokes, just to mention a few. Although diabetes has no cure, research suggests that a healthy lifestyle can actually prevent diabetes from happening to you and even reverse its progress. On that premise, the following article presents some important lifestyle changes that can help you in controlling diabetes.
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Regular exercise
One of the most important lifestyle changes is engaging in regular exercise. This does not have to include joining the gym and doing cross training. It can be something as simple as walking or riding a bike. Basically, try to stay active for roughly 30 min several days a week. An active lifestyle can certainly aid you in controlling diabetes by lowering the levels of sugar in the blood.
Healthy eating
Another crucial key factor that helps control diabetes is maintaining a healthy diet. Indeed, as eating affects the blood sugar levels, it is certainly crucial for you to only eat as much as you body needs. That being said, it is important that you eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and opt for lean meats and nonfat dairy. In addition to that, try your best to limit foods that are high in fat and sugar.
Manage stress
Time and time again, research has shown that your blood sugar goes up when you are stressed. Indeed, when you are stressed and anxious, you may not be able to manage your diabetes in a proper manner. Indeed, when you are under stress, you will forget to take your medicine, eat right and exercise. In order to avoid all of that, try to engage in ways that can help you relieve stress, such as yoga, deep breathing exercises or even hobbies that help you stay relaxed.
Quit smoking
Research shows that diabetes makes you more likely to have health problems, such as eye disease, kidney disease, stroke, nerve damage and blood vessel disease, just to mention a few. That being said, you will increase your chances of getting these problems in case you smoke.
Insulin pumps
Insulin pumps are small computerized devices that deliver insulin in a surge dose as well as in a steady measured and continuous dose. These pumps can certainly bring a welcomed relief and an improved quality of life for those who are tired of injections and who can’t find an insulin dose that keeps blood sugar under control. Indeed, thanks to insulin pump accessories, individuals are not required to give themselves shots every day. Instead they only have to insert a catheter needle once every two to three days in order to make sure that the blood sugar is kept in the target range.
Although diabetes still has no cure, it can certainly be controlled with the above mentioned healthy lifestyle changes.