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10 tips to take care of diabetes
that can help you

Diabetes is a chronic disease that involves changing lifestyles, proper nutrition, physical exercise and the use of drugs. For its treatment, it is essential that people learn to manage it correctly in order to have a good quality of life and avoid possible complications.

Mercedes Galindo, advisor to the Foundation for Diabetes, offers us a series of recommendations to maintain optimal control so that people with diabetes can enjoy their day-to-day life normally:

Tips to take care of diabetes…

In matters of taking care of yourself and , success is in going little by little and in the right direction. To guide you along this path, encourage you and not waste time or money, we have made the following list.

1. Learn to live with diabetes

It is important to know what diabetes is, the main care and make the necessary changes for good control. The person with diabetes and their family members should receive diabetes education and emotional support. Highlighting the importance of the role of the diabetes educator and the commitment to educating the person as an essential tool to facilitate self-care, adherence to treatment and metabolic control.

2. Adapt the diet

Diet is a fundamental part of diabetes control and helps to delay or prevent the onset of complications. The diet of the person with diabetes is similar to that of any person: food should be distributed throughout the day, that is, take between 3 to 5 meals according to personal characteristics and treatment schedule (breakfast, mid-morning, lunch, snack and dinner), avoiding meals with a high amount of carbohydrates or that are rapidly absorbed, as they raise glucose considerably. Diet care is part of your treatment, therefore, you cannot talk about types of food and quantities without also talking about the physical activity you do, the medications you take or whether or not you suffer from other diseases such as cholesterol or hypertension. . Definitely,

3. Maintain adequate hydration

People with diabetes are at increased risk of dehydration because a high level of glucose in the blood causes the kidneys to try to eliminate it in the form of urine. For this reason, people with diabetes are often thirstier when hyperglycemia occurs. Water should be the basis of hydration for a person with diabetes. There are other drinks that help improve hydration such as natural juices or juices without added sugars, "light" or "zero" soft drinks that contain sweeteners instead of sugar and therefore do not increase blood glucose levels, sports drinks or infusions, but always occasional way.

4. Exercise regularly

The practice of physical exercise is one of the fundamental pillars of diabetes treatment and prevents associated complications. Its benefits occur at many other levels: it improves blood pressure, cholesterol and cardiovascular function. The type of exercise and intensity should be adapted to the age and physical condition of each person with diabetes.

5. Carry out glucose controls frequently and in a structured way

The analysis of blood glucose levels carried out by the person himself or a family member allows knowing the blood glucose figures at any time and detecting possible acute complications, hypoglycemia (low glucose) or hyperglycemia (high glucose). It is recommended to carry out between 5 and 6 controls a day, before each meal and before going to sleep to have information and adjust the insulin regimen or treatment in general, if necessary. If exercise is practiced, it is recommended to carry out an analysis before the start of the activity, some extra measurement while practicing long-term exercise, as well as once it is finished.

6. Act quickly in the face of hypoglycemia

It is common for people to eat uncontrollably and voraciously during hypoglycemia. This entails a total intake of carbohydrates greater than the indicated grams, which is usually the cause of a rebound or hyperglycemia in the following hours.

7. Avoid complications of diabetes.

It is important to keep blood glucose numbers at the optimal level before and after meals. Likewise, it is necessary to control blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

8. Carry out ophthalmological examinations.

It is essential that people with diabetes carry out regular check-ups, especially of the condition of the retina, in order to successfully prevent, detect and treat any type of complication.

9. Take care of the feet

People with diabetes may have changes in sensitivity and circulation. It is important to carry out a daily inspection of the feet checking the absence of injuries and to visit the podiatrist regularly.

10. Be adherent with medication.

Medication is a part of the treatment that, together with diet and exercise, are fundamental pillars, which is why it is necessary to agree and follow the recommendations that are prescribed together with health professionals. Insulin is the pharmacological basis in the treatment of type 1 diabetes, and different oral drugs and/or insulin in type 2 diabetes.