Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose). According to WHO, the disease currently affect over 422 million people worldwide. In 2016, an estimated 1.6 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes, and it is attributed to be a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.
Diabetes mellitus can be divided broadly into Type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes (also known as insulin-dependent or childhood-onset diabetes) is characterized by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration of insulin. Type 2 diabetes (also known as non-insulin-dependent, or adult-onset diabetes) results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin. Majority of patients having diabetes have the type 2, and it’s largely caused by obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
Like most chronic medical conditions, simple lifestyle measures and patient education have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of complications and improve quality of life.
Here are a few tips that can help you live healthy with Diabetes
1. Healthy Eating Being diabetic doesn’t restrict you from eating well. However, a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and healthful proteins can have significant benefits for people with diabetes. Foods like oat, beans, potatoes, unripe plantain and cocoyam have been shown by several studies to have various health benefits.
2. Compliance with Prescribed Medications Taking drugs every day can be very challenging. However, drug compliance is key to preventing/ slowing down some complications associated with diabetes. Use of combination drugs and a flexible dosage -like a once daily dosage may also help improve compliance.
3. Ask your doctor questions - It’s your right One of the goals of patient education is to teach patients to take up active measures as regard their health. Some of these measures include compliance with medication and follow up appointment, monitoring their blood glucose using the self-monitoring devices, exercise and need to lose weight if needed.
4. Avoid misconceptions There are several misconceptions about diabetes. Remember to always discuss and clarify information with your doctor. You can never be wrong when you ask.
5. Comprehensive medical check-up Considering the progressive nature of diabetes, it is very necessary for all patients to have a comprehensive medical check-up at least once a year. This will help measure your overall health, likewise help you prevent and detect complications of diabetes early.
Living with diabetes can be demanding nevertheless, diabetes is not a death sentence. Successful integration of lifestyle modifications, drug treatment and routine follow up can help improve patient care and the overall outcome.
Diabetes mellitus can be divided broadly into Type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes (also known as insulin-dependent or childhood-onset diabetes) is characterized by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration of insulin. Type 2 diabetes (also known as non-insulin-dependent, or adult-onset diabetes) results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin. Majority of patients having diabetes have the type 2, and it’s largely caused by obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
Like most chronic medical conditions, simple lifestyle measures and patient education have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of complications and improve quality of life.
Here are a few tips that can help you live healthy with Diabetes
1. Healthy Eating Being diabetic doesn’t restrict you from eating well. However, a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and healthful proteins can have significant benefits for people with diabetes. Foods like oat, beans, potatoes, unripe plantain and cocoyam have been shown by several studies to have various health benefits.
2. Compliance with Prescribed Medications Taking drugs every day can be very challenging. However, drug compliance is key to preventing/ slowing down some complications associated with diabetes. Use of combination drugs and a flexible dosage -like a once daily dosage may also help improve compliance.
3. Ask your doctor questions - It’s your right One of the goals of patient education is to teach patients to take up active measures as regard their health. Some of these measures include compliance with medication and follow up appointment, monitoring their blood glucose using the self-monitoring devices, exercise and need to lose weight if needed.
4. Avoid misconceptions There are several misconceptions about diabetes. Remember to always discuss and clarify information with your doctor. You can never be wrong when you ask.
5. Comprehensive medical check-up Considering the progressive nature of diabetes, it is very necessary for all patients to have a comprehensive medical check-up at least once a year. This will help measure your overall health, likewise help you prevent and detect complications of diabetes early.
Living with diabetes can be demanding nevertheless, diabetes is not a death sentence. Successful integration of lifestyle modifications, drug treatment and routine follow up can help improve patient care and the overall outcome.
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