We are upon the time of the year when the seasons start to change. The mornings are a little brisk, the trees are turning colors and Mother Nature provides an abundant supply of apples, pumpkins and other gourds.
Fall can also be a time of the year in which you make changes in your diabetes care to continue to live a healthy life. There are several keys to Diabetes Self Management.
The first key is Being Active. It is recommended that you have 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity 5 days per week or more. The activity can be split into three 10 minute sessions. Your activity should then be increased to include strength training and aerobic activity throughout the week.
The second key is Self-Monitoring. You should monitor your blood glucose levels to determine if your blood glucose is within the normal range. Monitoring will help you to determine the effect of food, activity, and stress on your blood glucose level. You should also monitor your blood pressure, feet, weight, and how well you are doing meeting your lifestyle goals.
The third key is Healthy Coping. Stress can raise your blood glucose levels. Learning to manage your stress will help with blood glucose control. Having diabetes can lead to diabetes burnout in which you develop an “I do not care” attitude towards your diabetes control. Understand that you do not have to be perfect in your diabetes management and setting small goals can have a big impact on your blood glucose control.
The fourth key is Taking Medication. You should take your medication as prescribed by your physician. As your diabetes progresses, you may need a change in your medications or even start on insulin. This does not mean that you have failed, but that your diabetes is progressing. The change in medication will reduce your risk of complications.
The fifth key is Problem Solving. Recognizing signs and symptoms of high and low blood glucose and how to properly treat is essential to reduce acute and long term complications.
The sixth key is Reducing Risk. Diabetes increases an individual’s risk of developing complications including: heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system disease, amputations, and dental disease. Keeping your blood glucose under control and having proper screenings will help lower your risk of these complications.
The seventh key is Healthy Eating. Eating healthy does not mean that you can never eat your favorite food items again. You can learn to balance your portion sizes, nutrients, and eating schedule to improve your blood glucose.
These seven keys to diabetes control are covered in detail during group diabetes classes and individual educational sessions.
Group classes meet once a week for four weeks. The cost of each class is $10 or $40 for the series of four classes. The next group classes will be held October 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2012 from 9am to 11am. Pre-registration for the classes is required.
If you prefer to meet individually with the Certified Diabetes Educator, you can receive education regarding Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT).
For more information regarding the programs offered by Wayne HealthCare Diabetes Self Management Program please call 937-547-5750.
