If you have recently received a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, there are probably a multitude of thoughts swirling around your mind right now, with none of them being pleasant. Although you are more than likely aware of what led to the development of this condition as well as the risks and health impairments that type 2 diabetes can cause, what may very well still be unclear at the moment is, what next?
One important thing to remember is that being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is by no means a death sentence and does not even have to be much of a limiting factor in your overall quality of life. However, when poorly managed, this condition can quickly result in both of these unwanted occurrences. WebMD advises that managing your diabetes will be absolutely mandatory if you want to avoid serious health risks.
Although you may have some idea of what it means to effectively manage type 2 diabetes, this topic may be one that you are quite unsure about. Having the right information is most definitely the first step as it pertains to controlling this condition. In this article, we will do just that. We will discuss and briefly summarize a few key points that are essential to your quality of life moving forward.
Exercise
With regards to the topic of exercise, we will not harp on the obvious fact that type 2 diabetes is almost always associated with increased body weight. “Studies have shown that becoming overweight is a major risk factor in developing type 2 diabetes. Today, roughly 30 percent of overweight people have the disease, and 85 percent of diabetics are overweight”
(https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2012/03/the-big-setup/).
Therefore, decreasing and maintaining your body weight at a healthy level through proper diet and exercise, is arguably the most important thing to you can for your health (diabetes diagnosis or not). However, it is important that you understand how exercise can specifically improve your condition at its fundamental level.
According to the American Diabetes Association, Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the body becoming less sensitive to the insulin it produces. Therefore, when your blood sugar becomes elevated after eating, your body has a harder time lowering the blood sugar to an optimal level because it does not respond the way it should to insulin, which is a hormone secreted by the pancreas to accomplish the regulatory process.
Besides the fact that getting enough exercise is fantastic for every facet of your health, regular physical activity actually increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin. This means that you can take direct action against the hormonal malfunction going on in your endocrine system.
Keeping Tabs On Your Blood Glucose
This may be one of the most noticeable life changes that you must be sure to get used to. After all, if you are regularly checking on your blood glucose levels, how can you possibly know if you are controlling this condition?
Waiting until you feel yourself displaying symptoms of serious blood sugar fluctuations is the last thing you want to do. Whatever method your doctor suggests regarding regular blood glucose readings, make sure that you stick to a strict schedule. Your body will give you the exact feedback required to properly and effectively manage your type 2 diabetes.
Take Care Of Your Skin
WebMD states that although serious skin issues are more prevalent with long-term diabetes, getting a head start on this potential risk is extremely important. Diabetes is known to cause decreased circulation, especially in the lower limbs, as the natural effect of gravity tends to cause blood to pool in these areas.
WebMD further reports that this condition has a tendency to decrease the amount of sensation a person has in certain areas of the skin. Both of these factors predispose those diagnosed with diabetes to various detriments such as ulcers, venous insufficiency and, when severe enough, amputations.
Making an effort to take care of your skin right away is an excellent way to avoid these risks. Regular monitoring of your feet for sores and blisters, avoiding excessive moisture and making sure to always wear clean socks and proper footwear is extremely important for sustaining your skin integrity moving forward.
Conclusion
If you are already diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes then properly taking care of yourself is of more critical importance then ever.
Be sure to adhere to advice from your doctor. Eat right. Exercise and monitor your glucose levels as if your life depended on it because it does.
Type 2 Diabetes can be managed. But you need to take the necessary steps to protect your health and wellbeing. This is no time for half assed measures. Now, more than ever, you must do what you need to do.
Be A Man – Do The Right Thing. It’s Your Life. It’s Your Choice. Take Care Of Yourself. Eat Right And Exercise.
BAM!!! Be A Man! Do The Right Thing.
Be the DtRTy Guy!
