If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, there's a lot you can do to improve your health — and the best place to start is by changing your lifestyle. The secret to managing diabetes doesn't come in a pill. In most cases, these simple lifestyle changes will do the trick.
If you're ready to make positive changes to help control diabetes, here's how to get started.
Improve Your Diet - To help manage your blood glucose levels, you need to control the number of calories you eat each day. But you don't have to give up taste and satisfaction! Work closely with your doctor, nurse, and dietitian to learn how much fat, protein, and carbohydrates you need in your diet. Your meal plans should fit your lifestyle and habits and should include foods that you like.
Exercise regularly - Exercise is essential for losing weight and controlling your blood glucose. Even small increases in physical activity can help. Reasons why exercise is good for your health:
Lowers your blood sugar level without medicine
Burns extra calories and fat to help manage your weight
Improves blood flow and blood pressure
Increases your energy level
Improves your ability to handle stress
Accept your feelings - Studies show that people who acknowledge negative feelings about their diabetes are less capable of caring for themselves and keeping glucose levels stable. Avoiding negative thoughts and feelings about diabetes, like worrying about what to eat, can bring on stress.
Maintain a balanced perspective - Don't allow diabetes to become your main focus; the disease doesn't have to define you. You're the same person you were before your diagnosis, so continue to do things you enjoy as you learn to live well with your disease.
Be realistic - Rules that are too rigid are more likely to be broken. Set small goals that are easily attainable like walking for 10 minutes a day and slowly building up to 30 minutes or more over several weeks to increase your exercise. These strategies can have a dramatic impact on blood sugar levels and the progression of diabetes. Simple lifestyle changes will improve how you feel today, and help ensure a healthier future.
Prof. A. Ramachandran
MD., Ph.D., D.Sc., FRCP (Lond.), FRCP (Edin), MNAMS., FICP.,
President, India Diabetes Research Foundation,
Chairman, Dr. A. Ramachandran's Diabetes Hospitals
References: 1)5 ways to beat type 2 diabetes [online]. Accessed from URL:http://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/type2/managing.aspx. Accessed on 27th October 2014.
2)Type 2 diabetes [online]. Accessed from URL:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000313.htm. Accessed on 27th October 2014.
3)Taking control of your diabetes [online]. Accessed from URL:http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/diabetes.aspx. Accessed on 27th October 2014.
Disclaimer: The information contained here is not to be used for treatment purpose or for diagnosis of health problems or as a substitute to expert medical advice. Please consult your doctor for any health related problems or queries that you may have. Although great care has been taken in computing and checking the information, Novartis is not responsible or liable in anyway for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in or otherwise howsoever for any consequences arising there from the views, opinions, ideas etc expressed therein are solely those of the author. Novartis does not certify the accuracy, completeness, currency of any information and shall not be responsible or in anyway liable for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in such information. Novartis is not liable to you in any manner whatsoever for any decision made or action or non-action taken by you in reliance upon the information provided. Novartis does not recommend the use of its products in unapproved indications and recommends to refer to complete prescribing information prior to using any of the Novartis products. Novartis Healthcare Private Limited, Sandoz House, Shivsagar Estate, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 018, INDIA. Issued in public interest by Novartis Healthcare Pvt Ltd
Article8/Novartis/CVM/328240/12/14
Basic principles of good health like eating right, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight can be as effective as medicine in the management of diabetes for most people.
If you're ready to make positive changes to help control diabetes, here's how to get started.
Improve Your Diet - To help manage your blood glucose levels, you need to control the number of calories you eat each day. But you don't have to give up taste and satisfaction! Work closely with your doctor, nurse, and dietitian to learn how much fat, protein, and carbohydrates you need in your diet. Your meal plans should fit your lifestyle and habits and should include foods that you like.
Exercise regularly - Exercise is essential for losing weight and controlling your blood glucose. Even small increases in physical activity can help. Reasons why exercise is good for your health:
Lowers your blood sugar level without medicine
Burns extra calories and fat to help manage your weight
Improves blood flow and blood pressure
Increases your energy level
Improves your ability to handle stress
Accept your feelings - Studies show that people who acknowledge negative feelings about their diabetes are less capable of caring for themselves and keeping glucose levels stable. Avoiding negative thoughts and feelings about diabetes, like worrying about what to eat, can bring on stress.
Maintain a balanced perspective - Don't allow diabetes to become your main focus; the disease doesn't have to define you. You're the same person you were before your diagnosis, so continue to do things you enjoy as you learn to live well with your disease.
Be realistic - Rules that are too rigid are more likely to be broken. Set small goals that are easily attainable like walking for 10 minutes a day and slowly building up to 30 minutes or more over several weeks to increase your exercise. These strategies can have a dramatic impact on blood sugar levels and the progression of diabetes. Simple lifestyle changes will improve how you feel today, and help ensure a healthier future.
Prof. A. Ramachandran
MD., Ph.D., D.Sc., FRCP (Lond.), FRCP (Edin), MNAMS., FICP.,
President, India Diabetes Research Foundation,
Chairman, Dr. A. Ramachandran's Diabetes Hospitals
References: 1)5 ways to beat type 2 diabetes [online]. Accessed from URL:http://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/type2/managing.aspx. Accessed on 27th October 2014.
2)Type 2 diabetes [online]. Accessed from URL:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000313.htm. Accessed on 27th October 2014.
3)Taking control of your diabetes [online]. Accessed from URL:http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/diabetes.aspx. Accessed on 27th October 2014.
Disclaimer: The information contained here is not to be used for treatment purpose or for diagnosis of health problems or as a substitute to expert medical advice. Please consult your doctor for any health related problems or queries that you may have. Although great care has been taken in computing and checking the information, Novartis is not responsible or liable in anyway for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in or otherwise howsoever for any consequences arising there from the views, opinions, ideas etc expressed therein are solely those of the author. Novartis does not certify the accuracy, completeness, currency of any information and shall not be responsible or in anyway liable for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in such information. Novartis is not liable to you in any manner whatsoever for any decision made or action or non-action taken by you in reliance upon the information provided. Novartis does not recommend the use of its products in unapproved indications and recommends to refer to complete prescribing information prior to using any of the Novartis products. Novartis Healthcare Private Limited, Sandoz House, Shivsagar Estate, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 018, INDIA. Issued in public interest by Novartis Healthcare Pvt Ltd
Article8/Novartis/CVM/328240/12/14
