Diabetes Management: Tips for Lowering Blood Sugar

We understand managing your diabetes can be quite overwhelming, while it is best to consult a medical physician to help with the management of your diabetes, as well we can provide recommendations to help make it easier to live with. Managing diabetes is often difficult due to the drinks, food, as well as other lifestyle activities which can change the levels within your blood sugar, even unexpectedly. Some of the main factors that you will need to understand to help manage your diabetes include:
 
Food
One of the main factors behind living a healthy life is eating healthy, even without diabetes. Knowing which foods will affect your blood sugar levels is very important, and it can make your blood sugar levels either fall or rise depending on the foods you each and can cause severe complications. To ensure that you are following food management with your diabetes, ensure you are doing the following:
 
– Learning to carb count, portion control and weighing the foods properly
– Every meal needs to be balanced
– Coordinate your medications with your meals
– Avoid any extra sugar-sweetened beverages, as they will spike your blood sugar levels
 
Exercise
Exercise is an important aspect of managing your diabetes, while you continue to stay active, the muscles will start to burn sugar for energy, and this will help your body’s insulin to be used more efficiently. Many factors that can trigger a rise and fall in your blood sugar levels, this is why it is best to continue following an exercise plan, to do this you can:
 
– Talk to your diabetes management physician about an exercise plan
– Create an exercise plan that fits your life
– Understanding your numbers
– Consistently checking your blood sugar levels
– Keep hydrated
– Prepare for anything
– Adjust your plan if necessary
 
Medication
Diabetes will include medication like insulin as well as many others to help lower your blood sugar levels if exercise and diet is not enough. Other medications can also affect your blood sugar levels, so ensure that you are not running into further complications with your medication, to do this try the following:

– Storing your insulin properly
– Reporting any issues, you may come across with your physician
– Speak to your physician about any new medications to ensure no complications arise
 
Illness
Contracting an illness can cause issues, especially if you are a diabetic, as it will bring on another level of complications. Ensure to be prepared in case of an illness by:
 
– Have a list of medications available to take, particularly when you are measuring your blood sugar levels, and adjust accordingly
– Continue taking your diabetic medication
– Stay on the path with your meal plan
 
Alcohol
If you do decide to drink alcohol, remember it will cause your blood sugar levels to fall, and will continue to keep them low for up to 24 hours or longer, to ensure you are doing ok while drinking, do the following:
 
– Ensure your physician provides you the a-ok to drink
– Do not consume drinks with alcohol in them on an empty stomach
– Choose your beverages carefully
– Count your calories from the drinks
– Check your blood sugar levels before going to sleep
 
Menopause and Menstruation
Menstruation and menopause will cause your hormone levels to change drastically, so ensure you:
– Look for patterns which will lead you to your menstruation date
– Adjust your treatment based of your blood sugar levels if necessary
– Check your blood sugar levels more regularly to ensure you stay on track
 
Stress
Stress is another contributor to your blood sugar levels rising. If you are stressed often, it can be difficult to manage your diabetes, so ensure:
 
– You are watching for patterns of stress
– Control your levels when you are stressed
– Get the help you need to help cope with your stress

A few ways to lower your blood sugar levels include:

– Exercise
– Managing carb intake
– Fiber
– Hydration
– Portion control
– Lower glycemic index foods
– Manage stress
– Monitor your blood sugar levels
– Sleep/rest
– Eat chromium and magnesium-rich foods
– Maintaining or losing weight
– Healthy diet
– Probiotic-rich foods

A diabetes management plan follows the ABCs of diabetes management. A stands for testing and measuring your blood glucose levels to control them over a 2–3-month span. B stands for blood pressure and is monitored consistently. Finally, C stands for checking your cholesterol. By following the ABCs of diabetes management, you can significantly help your diabetes and stay on track.

Evidence has shown it can take anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks to lower your blood sugar levels without medication by following an exercise routine, healthy diet, and having a positive mindset. With diabetes medication, you can lower your blood sugar levels much faster.

For more information, contact Catalyst Medical Group today, or simply walk in for an appointment. We serve patients from Edinburg TX, McAllen TX, San Juan TX, Alamo TX, Pharr TX, Palmhurst TX, Mission TX, Alton TX and Palmview TX.