Everything you need to know about diabetes management is in this section. Together with your health care team and information found here you’ll have the tools to maintain your health. You will also find information here about diabetes complications.
Managing type 1 diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes is a life-long condition that requires proper management, including diet, medications, lifestyle choices, doctor visits, and monitoring the disease for complications. As such, managing type 1 diabetes can be challenging to both those who have it and the people who care for them.
Type 1 diabetes is managed with:
- Insulin replacement through lifelong injections or use of an insulin pump
- Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels and a good understanding of the what the values means
- Learning the symptoms of high and low blood sugar and how to manage both
- Following a healthy diet and eating plan
- Engaging in regular physical activity
- Keeping blood glucose levels as close to target range as possible
- Effective communication and follow-ups with your diabetes healthcare team
Learn more about managing type 1 diabetes here.
Managing type 2 diabetes:
The aim of management of type 2 diabetes is to keep blood sugar levels as close to the target range as possible, to prevent both short and long-term complications. While much of the day-to-day work comes from you, your healthcare team (doctor, specialists, dietitian, and pharmacist) are essential in proper management of your diabetes.
Tips to help manage type 2 diabetes include:
- Take your medications as prescribed
- Maintain a healthy and balanced diet, including non-starchy vegetables, fruits, whole-grains, and lean proteins. Avoid unhealthy fats, sugars, processed foods and simple carbohydrates.
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
- Engage in exercise daily
- Monitor your blood sugar and/or blood pressure at home, as indicated by your doctor
- Understand the potential complications from diabetes, and how to prevent and manage them
- Gain support from your family, friends, or community/online support groups
Learn more about managing type 2 diabetes here.
Managing blood sugar:
A main priority for people living with diabetes is managing blood sugar. It is important to ensure your blood sugar levels are within target, and to avoid both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
It is important to check your blood sugar level, because it will:
- Determine if you have high or low blood sugar at a given time
- Show you how lifestyle, foods, exercise and medication affect your sugars
- Help you and your healthcare team make lifestyle and medication changes
Learn more about managing blood sugar here.
Managing complications:
It takes work to get your diabetes under control, but it is definitely worth it. If diabetes is left untreated or improperly managed, diabetes can lead to several different complications.
Diabetes can affect nearly every organ in your body, including the:
Learn more about managing and preventing complications here.
Diabetes Management Articles
7 things you need to know about diabetes and heart healthIf you have diabetes, it’s important to pay attention to your heart health. Heart disease is a common complication of diabetes. In fact, people with diabetes are 3 times more likely to die of heart disease compared to those who don’t have diabetes. The good news is that there are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk.
Put your health where your mouth isAs children we’re told to floss and brush our teeth to prevent cavities. But with diabetes, good oral health becomes especially important to avoid future complications of the mouth. After all, mouth issues are nothing to smile about.
Early diabetes treatment intervention is betterAchieving your A1C target can help you prevent or delay diabetes complications. This may mean taking one or more medications, in conjunction with healthy eating and weight loss. Read this expert blog to learn more about early diabetes treatment intervention.
Diabetes health checks to add to your calendarRoutine diabetes health checks are an important way that your healthcare team can assess your diabetes management and your risk for complications. Read this article to learn more about diabetes health checks.
Blood pressure targets for people with diabetesPeople with diabetes are at risk of high blood pressure. That's why it’s important to know your blood pressure targets and strive to reach them.
Diabetes and gastroparesisMany people with diabetes experience minor digestive disorders. For example, almost 60% are affected by constipation.
Diabetes and digestive issuesPeople with diabetes have a higher risk of gastrointestinal (digestive) issues than those who don’t have the disease. Read on to learn more about diabetes digestive issues.
Seven tips for hearing healthIt’s important to look after your hearing. Read on to learn about seven tips for hearing health.
Diabetes and weight management: why is it such a struggle to keep pounds off?When I look back at the blog that I wrote about weight management several years ago, I – like many healthcare professionals – tried to boil the solution of weight loss down to a simple equation of fewer calories in/more calories out.
Management of hearing lossIf you have been noticing that your hearing is not as sharp as it used to be, you’re not alone. Read this article to find out more about hearing loss and what to do if you suspect that you may have hearing loss.
