People with diabetes can expect to live active, independent and vital lives if they make a lifelong commitment to careful diabetes management.
Key elements in lifestyle management
- Education: Diabetes education is an important first step. All people with diabetes need to be informed about their condition.
- Physical activity: Regular physical activity helps your body lower blood glucose (sugar) levels, promotes weight loss, reduces stress and enhances overall fitness.
- Nutrition: What, when and how much you eat all play an important role in regulating blood sugar levels.
- Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight is especially important in the management of type 2 diabetes.
- Medication: Type 1 diabetes is always treated with insulin. Type 2 diabetes is managed through physical activity and meal planning and may require medications and/or insulin to assist your body in controlling blood sugar more effectively.
- Stress management: Learning to reduce stress levels in day-to-day life can help people with diabetes better manage their condition.
- Blood pressure: High blood pressure can lead to eye disease, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, so people with diabetes should try to maintain a blood pressure level below 130/80. To do this, you may need to change your eating and physical activity habits and/or take medication(s).
Techniques for self-care
Helpful suggestions on how to practice self-care with diabetes.
Diabetes deep dives
Looking for in-depth information on diabetes management? Our Deep Dives video series answers your need-to-know questions now.
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