Living with diabetes requires diligent health management. Monitoring your blood sugar, eating well, staying active and taking medication as prescribed are all crucial for maintaining your health.
If your diabetes diagnosis is new to you and you’re not quite sure where to start with your health habits, here are five tips to help you prioritize self-care.
- Test your blood sugar regularly: Generally, diabetes happens when your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or any insulin at all or when your body doesn’t respond properly to the effects of insulin. As a result, there is too much glucose circulating in your bloodstream (your blood glucose becomes elevated) and, over time, this can cause long-term health issues like heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage.
Monitoring your blood glucose is key, and blood glucose testing gives you vital information about how your body is processing glucose. This allows you to make informed decisions about medication and lifestyle choices.
With Labcorp OnDemand’s Blood Test Package for Diabetes Management, you can measure your average blood sugar level, also known as your hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), over an extended period (8-12 weeks) to help monitor the condition. Our diabetes lab test also includes a set of screenings commonly ordered at an annual health visit, including cholesterol and lipids, calcium, and electrolytes, as well as tests for liver and kidney function.
There are different methods of blood sugar monitoring, and you should connect with your healthcare provider to determine which method is appropriate for you.
Regardless of the method you use to monitor your blood sugar, recording and tracking your glucose results can help you identify patterns, adjust your lifestyle habits accordingly and inform discussions with your healthcare provider.
- Adopt a diabetes-friendly diet: The foods you eat directly affect your blood sugar. Try to limit sweets, sugary drinks and refined carbs like white bread as these are more likely to spike your blood glucose levels.
Instead, focus your nutrition on:
Non-starchy vegetables: Broccoli, carrots, greens, peppers, tomatoes
Lean proteins: Chicken or turkey without the skin, fish, eggs
Whole grains: Wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, quinoa
Legumes: Nuts, beans, chickpeas, split peas
Healthy fats: Canola and olive oil, salmon, tuna, mackerel, avocado
Portion control is also key. A common way to manage healthy portions with diabetes is the plate method. The plate method involves taking an average 9-inch plate and putting non-starchy vegetables on one-half of the plate, a lean meat or other protein on one-fourth of the plate and a whole grain or other healthy source of carbs on the last quarter.
A registered dietitian can provide personalized meal planning guidance. Keeping a food journal where you record meals alongside blood sugar readings can also help you learn which foods work best for your body.
- Stay physically active: Exercise helps lower blood sugar by making your body more sensitive to insulin. Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity most days of the week. Going for a walk, taking an exercise class or doing yardwork all count. Strength training also helps improve insulin sensitivity.
Staying active not only helps you maintain healthy blood sugar levels, but it also has the added benefits of promoting heart health, maintaining a healthy weight and reducing stress.
Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before significantly increasing your activity level.
- Take diabetes medications as directed: If you take insulin or other diabetes medications, be sure to take them exactly as prescribed by your provider. Setting reminders and using a pill organizer helps prevent missed doses. Taking medication consistently and correctly as prescribed helps manage your blood glucose levels.
- See your healthcare provider regularly: Connecting with your primary care provider and/or endocrinologist is imperative for monitoring your health over time.
After purchasing the Labcorp OnDemand Diabetes Management Test, you can view your results online within a few days from when your sample arrives at the lab and discuss your results with your provider. Together, you can assess how well your diabetes management plan is working. Your provider can check for diabetes complications like nerve damage, kidney disease and vision issues. Reporting any concerning diabetes symptoms and sticking to your recommended testing schedule allows early intervention if problems arise.
Prioritizing these self-care strategies empowers you to successfully manage diabetes for a long, healthy life. Start taking control of your diabetes now with Labcorp OnDemand’s Diabetes Management Test.
