5 Steps To Keeping Your Diabetes In Check

In 2015, about 30.3 million Americans were living with diabetes. Each year, another 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with the condition. If you are one of these many Americans living with diabetes, you know how important it is to monitor your status daily. 

Especially if you were recently diagnosed, you may be struggling to cope with the necessary lifestyle changes to manage your diabetes, but Thomas E. Sulkowski, MD, and his team at Sulkowski Family Medicine are here to help. We suggest you start with these five key things.

1. Monitor your glucose levels 

The only way you can know where you stand with your diabetes is to monitor your glucose levels. Patients often ask us if they have to or complain that it hurts. The answer is, yes, you need to check your levels! There are pain-free options available today if the prick truly does bother you. 

How often you check will depend on the recommendation of your doctor. The minimum, though, is once a day. 

2. Take your medication

Many people with diabetes make the mistake of thinking they don’t need to take their pills anymore since their sugars are under control. This is not the case. The medication serves a specific purpose, and without it, your body suffers. 

Diabetes is a progressive disease, so eventually, the pills will no longer be effective because your body won’t produce enough insulin on its own. Then you will need to take injections. Your doctor will be able to adjust your dosage of insulin to the ideal amount. 

3. Stay active 

The purpose of glucose is to provide your body with energy, so you need to use that energy buildup by exercising. Staying active can also help decrease stress, improve sleep, lower your blood pressure, aid in digestion, and improve your circulation. 

Try to get at least 150 minutes of exercise in per week. But always check your blood sugar before you start. If it’s below 100mg, eat a snack before you work out. 

4. Make smart food choices 

The diabetic diet can be a confusing plan to navigate, so let’s try to narrow it down to the main points:

• Avoid sugar 
• Watch your carbs 
• Look out for high glycemic index foods
• Eat good fat and avoid bad fat 
• Eat more fiber 

Carbs are a tricky thing to manage for many people with diabetes. They don’t immediately sound like sugar, but all carbs turn to sugar a few hours after eating. You don’t need to avoid all carbs; you just need to understand how they work in your body. 

For example, avoid “bad carbs” such as cookies, ice cream, sodas, juice, and candy. They turn into sugar faster and hit your system faster. Instead, eat slower burning carbs such as apples, strawberries, and whole grains. 

5. See your doctor 

If you do not currently have a doctor that helps you monitor your diabetes, schedule an appointment with Dr. Sulkowski today. The team at Sulkowski Family Medicine takes a personal approach in caring for their patients, tracking your diabetes over the long term and alerting you to changes, new risks, or complications associated with your condition. 

Get help managing your diabetes 

You don’t have to manage your diabetes alone. Having an experienced medical team on your side can give you the peace of mind and support you need. 

Dr. Sulkowski has three decades of family medicine experience, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands. His team will ensure you have all of the tools and knowledge you need to manage your diabetes successfully.