From the moment you receive a diabetes diagnosis, you enter brand new territory with your health. From amputation to life-threatening heart disease, diabetes can set the stage for serious health complications, but these complications are far from foregone conclusions.
For the more than 38 million Americans who have diabetes (and the nearly 98 million more who have prediabetes), managing the disease can make all the difference and set their health on a much more positive track.
At CareOne Internal Medicine and Primary Care, serving patients in Houston and Katy, Texas, our team of primary care providers counts diabetes as one of our many areas of expertise, and we spend a good deal of time helping our patients navigate this disease.
While each patient is unique, the following best practices will serve anyone with diabetes well.
The first step you should take when you receive a diabetes diagnosis is to get the right medical teams in your corner. Our team is excellent for the overall management of your diabetes. We monitor your blood sugar levels and ensure you have the right medications and resources.
Diabetes casts a wide net, so it’s also a good idea to have dental, vision, and podiatry teams that understand your unique needs. We’re happy to help you find those.
One of the best ways to manage your diabetes and avoid health complications is to lose any excess pounds you might be carrying. Unfortunately, Americans are going in the wrong direction on this front, and a new study reports that a whopping 260 million people in the United States will be overweight or obese by 2050.
We know losing weight is easier said than done, but we offer comprehensive weight loss services that include specialized GLP-1 medications to help our patients with diabetes shed pounds.
When you have diabetes, it’s important to get your body moving and blood circulating. We’re not suggesting you run out and tackle a marathon, but we do want you to start adding exercise to your daily routine. Go for a walk after dinner or meet up with a friend to take a class at the gym. Even vacuuming your house or gardening counts as exercise.
Choose an activity you enjoy and aim for 30 minutes of movement each day.
We know overhauling your diet is a tall order, but it’s easier if you start with one snack or meal at a time. So, instead of a bag of chips, grab a handful of nuts. Skip the cookie and have an apple. Rather than a bacon cheeseburger, try a chicken breast without the bun.
If you start with just one snack or meal, you can slowly change your diet to a healthier one that will keep your diabetes in check.
If you smoke (or chew or vape), your diabetes diagnosis should be a wake-up call to quit. Smoking is a strong risk factor for heart disease, and when combined with diabetes, you’re on a dangerous path.
Like losing weight, we know quitting is tough, and we’re happy to point you in the right direction for some excellent resources.
If you follow these five practices, not only will you better manage your diabetes, you’ll improve your health on every level.
For a more personalized diabetes plan or help with these management practices, we invite you to schedule an appointment today by calling CareOne Internal Medicine and Primary Care. We also offer online bookings for in-person and telehealth appointments.
