8 Ways to Better Control Your Type 2 Diabetes

It isn’t easy to hear that you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. For many people, it seems like the end of the road or the beginning of a life which will be controlled by their condition instead of their feelings! They think they won’t be able to live the way they want to, eat the things they love and would have to alter their lifestyles drastically. However, it isn’t the truth!

Managing and controlling Type 2 Diabetes isn’t that hard. You can monitor your condition and continue to live your life stress-free by making minor adjustments and following some best practices. In fact, learning about having Type 2 Diabetes is the first step towards living a better and lengthier life! Here are eight such ways in which you can better control your Type 2 Diabetes:

1. Start following a Nutritious Diet

A nutritious diet primarily consists of wholesome grains, fruits, and lots of green leafy vegetables. We all know how junk food and processed items cause health hazards in the long run, and it seriously applies to people with Type 2 diabetes. These food items heighten the risk of developing further complications like strokes and heart disease. Switching over to a healthier & nutritious diet has its own set of benefits, and it will help you manage your sugar levels naturally.

2. Take-up Regular Mild Exercising

If you have Type 2 Diabetes, it is medically recommended that you must get at least 150 minutes of mild to vigorous physical activity every week! Try and take up regular exercising for about 30 minutes every day. It doesn’t have to be a hard workout session every time, but it should be consistent. Engaging in physical exercises or activities helps in bring down your blood sugar levels by making your body more sensitive to insulin and making better use of blood glucose.

3. Indulge in Weight Control practices

Yes! No matter what your medical condition is, you must thrive on controlling your body weight at all times. Being in control of your weight and body shape is a sign of living a healthy lifestyle, and thus, a symbol of being more immune towards diseases and health issues. Weight loss can help you in lowering down your blood sugar levels by decreasing insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition when your body is not able to properly use the insulin hormone to control and regulate glucose in your blood. Thus, losing some weight can help you manage your Type 2 Diabetes condition.

4. Quit Smoking if you haven’t already

For all smokers, if you have Type 2 Diabetes, stop smoking immediately! We know it is not easy as it sounds, but smoking can be really harmful to your health especially with diabetes. Smoking compounds the risk of developing heart-related conditions by constricting the blood vessels in the body. Smoking and diabetes are a deadly combination and while you are already taking steps to control the latter, ensure you do away with the former as soon as you can.

5. Check Your Blood Pressure & Sugar Regularly

Follow your physician’s advice on how often to check your blood sugar and blood pressure. Regular monitoring of these levels will help your doctor in identifying potential symptoms or clues for what is going on in your body. It will also help in prescribing the type and dosage of medication so that you don’t suffer any highs or lows with your blood sugar and BP levels.

6. Limit Your Alcohol Intake – Seriously!

Alcohol is medically known to contribute towards high or low blood sugar levels! While it is not such a big a deal that you must quit it immediately; but you must at least resolve to drink in moderation.

7. Diligently Follow Prescribed Medication7.

Not everybody with Type 2 Diabetes is required to undergo medication or therapy, but many people who are having trouble in keeping their blood sugar in control may be prescribed some medicines. Farxiga is one such medicine that is often prescribed by doctors. It is an oral diabetes medicine that works by helping your kidneys to remove glucose from the bloodstream. Always take your medications as prescribed and you’ll be able to control your diabetes.

8. Visit Your Doctor Regularly

It is worth reminding you that you must visit your doctor regularly. Many people tend to skip their visits or forget about them. Your prescribed medication and its dosage will vary with time so don’t be casual about visiting your doctor periodically.