Major Ways To Fight Diabetes

Manage Stress

The body responds to stress by mobilizing extra fuel to prepare for the 'fight or flight' response. Since glucose can be used by every cell in the body, this stress response means increased blood glucose levels. In healthy individuals, elevation in their blood glucose level is the desired response to stress. The extra glucose would provide energy for the body to flee or hunt. This healthy stress response is meant to be brief and infrequent, so blood glucose levels are elevated for only a short time.

Chronic stress, on the other hand, leads to regularly elevated blood glucose levels. This extra glucose is rarely used in a physical effort and can contribute to insulin resistance and diabetes. As such, managing chronic stress is important in diabetes management. Strategies vary, but common options for stress management include meditation, taking a relaxing bath, listening to music, practicing yoga, and reading.

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Regularly Monitor Blood Sugar

A vital component of managing diabetes is the regular monitoring of blood sugar levels. In healthy individuals, the body can perform this function on its own and address situations where the blood sugar level becomes too high or low. However, the body of individuals affected by diabetes is unable to perform this function. This malfunction means a diabetes patient will need to self-test their blood regularly to know what and when to eat, as well as what medications to take and when to take them. The frequency of glucose testing will be determined by the type and severity of a patient's diabetes. Individuals affected by type 1 diabetes will generally need to check their glucose levels more times a day than a patient affected by type 2 diabetes. Devices are available to assist with regular monitoring of blood sugar, including a continuous glucose monitor. This device allows an affected individual to view their blood glucose level at all times, and alerts them when they are moving beyond a specified range. Regularly monitoring blood sugar can help patients avoid life-threatening diabetes complications.

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