Ways to Keep Your Diabetes Under Control
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
Control your blood glucose. By keeping your blood glucose levels at a normal range, you can help delay or even prevent problems with diabetes. If your blood glucose levels are not controlled and stay at high levels for long periods of time, it can eventually cause damage to your eyes, nerves, blood vessels and kidneys. According to the National Institute of Health, most people with diabetes should aim for a target glucose level of 70 to 130 before eating a meal and less than 180 one to two hours after the beginning of a meal. It is important that you discuss with your doctor about what your target levels should be, and what times of the day you should use a blood glucose meter to check them. Keeping track of your blood glucose checks and recording them daily can also help you and your doctor develop a plan to keep your blood glucose under conrol.
Control your blood pressure. By keeping your blood pressure within a healthy range and not letting it get too high, you can prevent damage to your heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys. People with diabetes should aim to keep their blood pressure below or as close to 130/80 as they can, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Take the time keep track of your blood pressure on a daily basis. If you notice you consistently have high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor about how it can be lowered. A doctor may be able to prescribe you a blood pressure medication that can help lower it or give you advice on changes that may need to be made in your lifestyle. You can also take steps to control your blood pressure by eating a diet low in salty foods and high in fruits and vegetables, losing weight, being more physically active, not smoking, and limiting your alcohol intake.
Control your cholesterol. By having normal levels of cholesterol and blood fat, you can help prevent your risk for heart disease and stroke. At least once a year, you should visit your doctor to have your blood fat levels checked. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the target blood fat levels for people with diabetes are below 200 for total cholesterol, below 100 for LDL cholesterol, below 150 for triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol levels should be above 40 for men and above 50 for women. You can maintain your blood fat levels through regular physical activity, healthy meal planning, and certain medications.
