Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that is characterized by a build-up in the levels of glucose or sugar in the bloodstream. A hormone known as insulin is responsible for the absorption of blood sugar by the cells after which the sugar is utilized to produce energy. In Type 2 diabetes, which is by far the most common, the cells of the body are unable to react to insulin. After a long time with the condition, the body stops producing enough insulin.

Diabetes is a long term condition and often comes with symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, frequent urination, inexplicable thirst, lack of energy, excessive hunger, dry mouth, itchy skin and blurry vision among others. As the condition progresses, the symptoms grow severe and may be life threatening. The good news is that with the right choices, one can live a long and healthy life with the condition. Proper care and control measures can even reverse diabetes entirely.

Living a healthy life with diabetes takes serious changes in your lifestyle, commitment and self-discipline. There are various measures that you need to take to help you manage the condition and each one of them is crucial to the entire diabetes management strategy. Some of the most effective ways of ensuring healthy living with diabetes include

• Eating healthy
• Regular exercise
• Avoid smoking and alcohol
• Regular eye tests

Eating Healthy

For anyone that has diabetes, healthy eating is crucial for leading a healthy life. You need not worry about the foods you should avoid as there are several alternatives that are healthier options. You also need to change how you prepare your meals. Reducing sugar, salt and fat and increasing the amount of fiber in your meals is one way of doing this. While it is not necessary to completely eliminate sugary and fatty foods from your diet, it is important to take them in very low quantities. Include more starchy carbohydrates like pasta and more fruits and veggies.

Regular Exercise

Physical activity plays an important role in reducing your blood sugar levels. Regular exercise is therefore essential for anyone with diabetes. Set your exercise goals and be committed to achieving them. The ideal amount of exercise that you need to live healthy with diabetes is not less than 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on a weekly basis. If possible, you can increase your weekly exercise duration. Exercising helps in lowering blood sugar hence you should inform your doctor if you are on treatment.

Avoid Smoking and Drinking

Diabetes raises your vulnerability to cardiovascular illnesses such as strokes and heart attacks. Smoking therefore raises your risk of suffering the diseases quite considerably. Avoiding alcohol is also an important strategy in managing diabetes. Besides causing either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, alcohol also reduces your ability to make important decisions such as observing a healthy diet.

Regular Eye Test

Since diabetes affects the eyes, it is important to stay ahead of it and go for regular eye tests. This way, you can always be ready for treatment if the condition begins to affect your vision.