Controlling Diabetes

Basic Facts

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which blood glucose (sugar) levels are too high because the body cannot produce insulin or cannot use insulin efficiently.
If untreated, diabetes can result in numerous complications, including atherosclerosis (buildup of plaque on artery walls), kidney disease, blindness, and amputation.
Controlling diabetes depends mainly on ensuring that blood glucose levels do not rise too high or fall too low.
By controlling blood glucose levels, people with diabetes can delay or avoid many of the complications the disorder causes.

Managing diabetes will lower the risk for many conditions, including:

Heart attack,
Angina (chest pain),
Carotid artery disease,
Compromised immune system,
Connective tissue disorders,
Diabetic vascular disease, gangrene, and limb loss,
Enlarged prostate,
Eye problems,
High blood pressure,
Hypoglycemia,
Ketoacidosis,
Kidney infection,
Leg artery disease,
Incontinence,
Nephropathy,
Nerve damage,
Prostate infection,
Renal (kidney) failure,
Renal artery disease,
Retinopathy,
Sexual dysfunction,
Skin problems,
Stroke,
Ureteral stones, and
Infertility.

Regularly monitoring and logging blood glucose levels is an important component of managing diabetes, which is typically done with a finger stick test. Newer tests allow the person to draw blood from the forearm instead of the fingers.

Controlling Diabetes FAQ

What To Expect

Attentive diabetes care can help control blood sugar and reduce the risk of serious complications. Below are several ways a patient can take an active role in diabetes care.

Eat a Healthy Diet
The physician may recommend that the patient meet with a nutritionist or dietitian after being diagnosed to develop a meal plan. The daily dietary ranges can include:

6 to 11 servings of whole grains and starches,
3 to 5 servings of vegetables,
2 to 4 servings of fruit,
2 to 3 servings of dairy products, and
4 to 6 ounces of meats, poultry, and fish.

To maintain their blood glucose levels, people should adhere to the following guidelines:

Plan times for meals and snacks,
Eat at the same time every day,
Do not go too long between meals,
Do not skip meals,
Take diabetes medications at the same time every day, and
Check with the physician to determine the best time to take medications based on the meal plan.

Exercise
After consulting a physician, people with diabetes should exercise aerobically for 30 minutes, five times per week.

Because exercise lowers blood glucose, people with diabetes should consider the following exercise guidelines:

Exercise at about the same time every day,
Measure blood glucose before and after exercising,
Learn the symptoms of hypoglycemia,
Have sugar readily available, such as glucose tablets, juice, or hard candy, in case blood glucose drops to below 70 mg/dL during exercise, and
Stay hydrated during exercise.

Lose Extra Weight
People with diabetes and prediabetes should lose weight to better manage blood glucose levels.

Quit Smoking
Nicotine interferes with the functioning of insulin, making it more difficult to regulate blood glucose levels.

Limit Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol should be consumed in moderation, which means an average of one to two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. Alcohol is quickly converted to glucose but it can also lower blood sugar, especially in people who take insulin replacement therapy or oral medications. Therefore, diabetes patients should never drink on an empty stomach.