November is National Diabetes Month, which makes this a great time to talk about this common but serious health condition. In short, diabetes is a disease where your body can’t regulate the amount of sugar in your bloodstream, and that can lead to damaged tissues and organs, and even amputations if you develop non-healing wounds.
At Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic, with locations in Gilbert, Fountain Hills, Mesa, and Scottsdale, Arizona, Dr. Pankaj Chopra, Dr. Neha Maheshwari, and our team offer chronic disease management for conditions like heart disease and all forms of diabetes. Here, the team discusses lifestyle habits you can adopt to help prevent, or at least manage, diabetes.
Diabetes refers to a group of diseases that impacts how the body uses sugar (glucose) to generate energy in the cells. Glucose is not only important for the muscles and tissues, but it’s also the primary source of fuel for the brain.
Diabetes can be classified into four different types.
Type 1 diabetes, previously known as juvenile diabetes because it’s usually diagnosed in kids, results when the beta cells in the pancreas fail to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that takes the glucose in your blood and moves it into the cells. Without insulin, the cells can’t receive the food they need to create energy.
With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces enough insulin, but the cells are resistant to its effects, so, once again, the sugar can’t be moved into the cells. Because type 2 is often brought on by poor lifestyle factors, such as an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and being overweight or obese, it’s the most preventable form.
Gestational diabetes only develops in pregnant women, possibly because the placenta puts out hormones that affect the body’s use of insulin. The disease can be managed during pregnancy, and it usually resolves following delivery.
Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar levels are elevated but not yet high enough to be considered diabetes. It’s often a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, with a change in lifestyle habits, you can prevent the disease from progressing and even return your numbers to non-diabetes levels.
Even if you’re at risk for diabetes, there are lifestyle habits you can adopt to prevent it from developing or manage it if you already have it.
Everything you eat affects your blood sugar, so learn what your body needs and focus on eating only that much. Add plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, choose nonfat dairy, stick to lean meats, and limit foods high in sugar and fat.
Since carbohydrates turn into sugar, keep an eye on your carb intake, aiming to keep it about the same from one meal to the next.
If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, it’s time to get your body moving. Some great options include walking, riding a bike, or swimming. Aim for about 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week.
Being active helps bring down your blood sugar. It also lowers your chances of getting heart disease, helps you lose extra pounds, and eases stress.
See your primary care doctor at least twice a year. Since diabetes raises your risk of heart disease, know your numbers: cholesterol, blood pressure, and A1c (average blood sugar over three months). Get a comprehensive eye exam every year, since high sugar levels can damage eye tissue, and see a podiatrist regularly to check for foot ulcers and nerve damage.
Stress increases your blood sugar levels, and when you’re stressed, you might not manage your diabetes effectively. Things like deep breathing, yoga, and relaxing hobbies can all help.
If you want more tips on managing your diabetes or need your blood sugar tested, Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic can help. Call us at any of our locations to schedule or book online. It’s a quick and easy way to stay safe this winter.
