Have you just been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus or you have been living with it for quite some time? You must have heard of so many dos and don’ts which made you even more confused. Don’t worry; here are the basic things you must know. Join me let’s explore them.
DM is a long-lasting condition arising from either
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, an organ in the body. Its main job is to help the body cells take in glucose from the blood. Glucose is the end product of digestion of carbohydrate and the main energy source of the body cells. When any of the two conditions above arise, the body cells have difficulty in taking in glucose from the blood.
Thus the implication of this situation is of two folds:
As a result, the body cells crave for energy and resort to other sources like stored fats; a process which may produce excessive acidic products that worsen the situation. They also induce hunger pangs which will lead to further accumulation of glucose in the blood whenever you eat.
The effects of DM arise from
The consequences of body cells’ response to their lack of glucose include
The effects of prolonged glucose accumulation in the blood include
Others diseases or stressful conditions can affect blood glucose level:
The side effects of the treatment could be
Just like most long-term diseases, DM requires lifelong treatment with medications. Thus your compliance with the medications is very important in managing DM.
The medication can be insulin or oral drugs like metformin, glimepiride, etc. Your doctor will choose the right medications for your own situation. Make sure you take them as prescribed.
You will have to make changes in
Eat less of carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are responsible for most of the glucose that gets to your blood. Thus reducing the quantity of carbs you take will reduce the accumulation of glucose in your blood and make the job of your drugs easier.
When taking carbs, go for the natural and unprocessed ones like whole grain, legumes, vegetables, and fruits as these are packed with other nutrients like vitamins and minerals as well as lots of fiber, which is good for bowel movement. You can also take food products with a low glycemic index such as Pasta, whole wheat bread, rye bread, all-bran cereal, oatmeal, oat bran, etc.
However the quantity you take matters more than the glycemic index of the carbs. Meet your dietician to work out the right quantity per serving that is good for you. Always read the label and contents of whatever food product you’re buying.
Take more of protein: Foods rich in protein include
Reduce red meat especially processed red meat products: They contain too many unhealthy fats and salts. Always read food labels and ingredients to be sure of its contents before purchase.
Take more fruits: Fruits are very nutritious. They supply the body with plenty of vitamins and minerals which help the body to function well. When taking fruits, go for low-calorie fruits such as avocado, apple, blueberry, papaya, etc.
Eat more vegetables: They are rich in vitamins and minerals as well as lots of fiber. Examples are Carrots, Cauliflower, Artichoke, Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, etc.
Eat more of fiber-rich foods: They improve bowel movement and give a feeling of being filled without eating too much. This helps you to control the amount you eat per meal. Fiber-rich foods include black beans, kidney beans, pintos, chickpeas (garbanzos), white beans, and lentils. Fruits with edible skin as well as vegetables are rich in fiber too.
Reduce fat intake: But more importantly, replace unhealthy fats with healthy fats as much as possible. Unhealthy fats are in egg yolk, palm oil, butter, margarine, full-fat cheese, ice cream, whole milk, chocolates, French fries, lard, pork, high-fat beef, sausage, hot dogs, bacon, bologna, chicken skin, etc. Avoid or significantly reduce their intake. Instead go for foods that are rich in healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids seen in flaxseed oil, canola oil, walnut, soybeans products, as well as certain fishes like mackerel, sardines. Other sources of healthy fat which contain mono or polyunsaturated fatty acids include avocado, almonds, cashews, peanuts, sesame seeds, mayonnaise, cottonseed oil, olive oil, etc
If you want to manage your DM properly, physical activity is a must. Daily aerobic exercise is one sure way of getting enough physical activity. There are different exercises you can do such as swimming, running/jogging, walking, etc.
Exercises have so many benefits in your management of DM. They include but not limited to
Meet with your doctor to work out the right exercise for you. You must be totally committed to it.
Managing DM is a delicate process as complications can result from both the disease and its treatment. Thus adequate monitoring is important to ensuring a normal range of blood glucose level and preventing complications and infections. Both you and your doctor have roles to play. Your own roles include
During your clinical visits, your doctor joins in monitoring your condition by
Find out from your doctor if their facility is running one and get a referral. Most healthcare plans cover for diabetes education. Visit the diabetes education center and learn more about how you can be more proactive in your management. The diabetes educator will teach you about the disease and your role in your management such as
In conclusion, DM is a serious long-term disease that can affect your entire body system. However, with proper care and your commitment to the diabetic lifestyle, you can enjoy a healthy and fulfilled long life.
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Ekwomadu is a medical doctor and a writer who's got a great passion for helping people enjoy healthy lives. He does that through his compelling and educating articles on various health topics.
Contact him: anyiemadu@gmail.com