An estimated 122 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes. If you’re worried about having diabetes, you should work with experts who have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating diabetes.
Dr. Basel Batarseh and Dr. Walid Elkhalili here at Apex Medical Professionals in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, can help you improve your health and well-being. They specialize in diabetes management and care.
Receiving diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes can be scary. But you can manage this condition with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. Here are some things you can do to manage Type 2 diabetes.
No single diet works for every diabetes patient. Eating healthy means eating foods that are good for you and sticking to an eating schedule.
Include balanced meals in your plan, as well as healthy snacks. Eating smaller portions and avoiding overeating will help control blood sugar. You should also eat enough fruits and other high-fiber foods, like whole grains.
A diabetes specialist can help you determine what type of diet and eating schedule best suits you.
Because Type 2 diabetes is linked to lack of exercise, incorporate movement into your daily routine to help manage it. Try for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise each day, or 60 minutes for children. Such exercise can include activities like:
Incorporate resistance exercises like lifting weights or doing yoga two or three times a week to boost your strength and balance. If you spend a lot of time working in front of a computer, break up inactive periods by taking frequent breaks to move.
Exercise can help with weight loss, though not all people with Type 2 diabetes need to lose weight. If you do, you and your doctor can talk about how to do so healthily.
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, we may prescribe medication or insulin. Some medications to control blood sugar and improve your quality of life with Type 2 diabetes may include:
You may also need long-acting or short-acting insulin to help regulate your blood sugar. Long-acting insulin works throughout the day or night, while short-acting insulin is administered specifically at mealtimes. The one you need depends on your situation.
Work with your doctor to figure out how often to check your blood sugar and stay within a specified range. You can use a blood glucose meter to keep a record of your blood glucose levels and make sure they stay where they should.
Continuous glucose monitoring records your blood sugar levels consistently. The electronic device then sends the data to your mobile device, which alerts you if your blood glucose levels get too high or low.
At Apex Medical Professionals, we can help you create a plan to manage your diabetes. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
