How to Control Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body is unable to break down food into sugar. This happens either as a result of the inability of the pancreases to produce more insulin, or when the body is unable to make good use of the insulin it produces. Today, diabetes has become a very common health condition but in most cases, it can be managed by the patients. It is important however, to make sure that you seek professional help and are regular in the treatment and medication. For best advice in case of diabetes, be sure to visit a competent doctor at the Fatima Memorial Hospital.

Types of Diabetes

There are three major types of diabetes:

• Type 1 Diabetes: This type is generally believed to result from an autoimmune disease and can develop at any age, but is most frequently in children and adolescents. In this type of diabetes, the body produces little to no insulin. This is a problematic as insulin is required to convert sugar (glucose) from the foods into energy for the body. Patients need to take insulin every day to keep blood sugar levels in control.
• Type 2 Diabetes: This is the most common type of diabetes. In this case the body does not make good use of the insulin it produces. Pills or insulin are needed to help keep blood sugar levels under control.
• Gestational Diabetes: This kind of diabetes occurs in some women during pregnancy. Usually, it disappears after the baby is born. However, even if it goes away, affected women and their children have a greater chance of getting type 2 diabetes later in life.

Foods to Help Control Diabetes

Changes in diet and in inclusion of certain foods can greatly help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and hence, control diabetes among patients. Some of these foods include:

1. Fatty fish
2. Leafy green vegetables
3. Avocados
4. Eggs
5. Chia seeds
6. Beans
7. Greek Yogurt
8. Nuts
9. Broccoli
10. Extra-virgin olive oil
11. Flaxseeds
12. Apple cider vinegar
13. Strawberries
14. Garlic
15. Squash
16. Shirataki noodles 

Other Measures to Control Diabetes

In addition to maintaining a healthy diet, certain other steps and lifestyle changes can help control diabetes to a great degree. These include the following:

1. Regular Blood Glucose Testing: Frequent testing and monitoring can help keep blood glucose levels in check. A glucose monitor is an easy tool that can be used by patients at home where a gentle pick on the finger is sufficient to gauge blood sugar levels. Testing before and after meals can be a useful technique for measuring the impact of different meals on the sugar levels and therefore improving diet and dosage decisions.
2. Regular exercise: Being more active can help patients cope with diabetes. Patients are often advised to include simple exercises in their everyday routine such as walks, yoga, pushups, or even heavy gardening.
3. Coping with stress: Stress can increase sugar levels of the blood. Activities such as exercise, deep breathing, meditation, walks, music, and painting can help reduce stress levels.
4. Regular intake of insulin, medication and injections: This is absolutely essential in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Diabetes is a common disease that can be controlled with regular care. However, proper guidance from a competent doctor at Dr Ziauddin Hospital is essential to help improve the patient’s quality of life and minimize inconveniences.