Diabetes Self-Management

Living with Diabetes

Education for diabetes is important and must be accompanied by action and self-care activities for patients to completely benefit. Self-management activities include behaviors such as adopting a healthy diet plan, avoiding high-fat foods, getting consistent exercise and monitoring your glucose. Lowering glucose levels in the bloodstream may be one of the main goals of diabetes self-management however, it cannot be the only objective for a patient. Changes in activities should also be observed and evaluated for mental and emotional well-being.

Individuals with diabetes have shown to make a dramatic impact, self-monitoring of glycemic control is a cornerstone of diabetes care that can ensure patient participation in achieving and maintaining specific glycemic targets. This facts are the cornerstone for making the best decisions and steps on time to achieve optimum control, allowing for assessment of therapy and guiding adjustments in diet, exercise, and medication to achieve optimal glycemic control.

Engaging in regular physical activities is associated with improved health and overall well-being among diabetics. The National Institutes of Health and the American College of Sports Medicine recommends that all adults, including those with diabetes, should engage in regular physical activity.
Partnering with your health care providers

In diabetes, patients are expected to follow a complex set of daily behavioral actions to care for their diabetes. These actions involve engaging in positive lifestyle behaviors, including the following:

• Healthy meal plan.
• Engaging in appropriate physical activity.
• Taking medications (insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent) as indicated.
• Consistent monitoring of blood glucose levels.
• Responding to self-treating diabetes-related symptoms.
• Adhering to foot-care guidelines; and
• Seeking individually appropriate medical care for diabetes or other health-related problems.

The majority of patients with diabetes can significantly reduce the chances of developing long-term complications by improving self-care activities.

Although this routine has been documented to be effective, especially when looking at long-term changes in diabetes management and control, a low percentage of patients make these changes to their lifestyle. At Sunset Health, we want to partner with you to guide you to make changes in your life so you can make best decisions and manage your diabetes. We have designed a Diabetes Self-management program for diabetics and their families providing important education about diabetes, its symptoms, complications, medication, and nutritional habits.

Click below for the following brochures:

• What is Pre-Diabetes?
• What is Diabetes Type 2?
• Acanthosis Nigricans
• Cigarettes and Diabetes
• The Problem of Sexual Impotence with Diabetes

Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a condition characterized by higher than normal blood glucose levels which can lead to type 2 diabetes. However, you can prevent type 2 diabetes from developing by adopting healthy eating habits and exercising regularly. Simple changes in your lifestyle, such as taking regular walks or eating more fruits and healthy grains can dramatically decrease the likelihood of a pre-diabetic condition developing into something more serious.

Type-2 Diabetes

When you eat, your body turns certain foods into a type of sugar called glucose. Glucose gives your body the energy it needs to function, but in order to use glucose as energy your body needs insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes your body does not produce a sufficient amount of insulin or does not use it properly, because the cells in your body cannot use glucose in foods as energy. The glucose stays in the blood where it can cause serious problems.

Diabetes has no cure, but it can be kept under control. If you eat a healthy diet, engage in physical activity, and take any medications prescribed to you, you’ll be able to maintain the glucose in your blood within healthy levels. Many people with diabetes live a long and healthy life.