3 Ways to Manage Your Blood Sugar
More than a million people in just North Carolina alone have been diagnosed with diabetes. Altheria Stokes, a Burlington resident diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in her 30's, shares her experience living with the condition. Learn the importance of managing your blood sugar with Dr. Eno Newlin with Cone Health Community Health & Wellness Center in this WFMY 2 Your Well-Being conversation.
"I had symptoms, like the room was spinning, so I didn't know what was going on," recalls Stokes, "So, then I told my doctor and she scheduled me an appointment. That's when I found out I was a diabetic." Many diabetics experience dizziness or other common symptoms including:
- Frequent Urination
- Weight Loss
- High Blood Sugar
- Numbness
Dr. Eno Newlin says that the first step of managing your blood sugar is taking an inventory of your carbohydrates as well as your intake of sweets.
1. The "My Plate" Method
For each meal, split a 9-inch plate into 4 sections:
- 1/4 should be complex carbs.
- 1/4 should be lean protein.
- 1/2 should be vegetables and fruits.
2. Medication
Make an appointment with a healthcare provider to determine the right treatment for you. If you find that your blood glucose level is too high, don't try to self-manage by skipping meals. Contact your primary care provider so that they can adjust your medication to cover your meals. Dr. Newlin explains that uncontrolled blood sugar can have dangerous complications including:
- Hyperglycemia
- Cardiovascular Disease: heart attack or stroke
- Kidney Failure and dialysis
- Diabetic Retinopathy or vision deterioration
- Foot ulcers or amputations
3. Lifestyle Changes
Make sustainable, long term habits to stay healthy:
- Add 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise to your schedule each week. This could be a brisk, 10-15 minute walk each morning and evening.
- Aim for a healthy weight. Pre-diabetes can even be reversed by losing 10% of your body weight.
- Start paying attention to how much sugar is hidden in drinks and foods. Swap sugary oatmeal packets for old-fashioned rolled oats, or a soda with water.
- Before traveling, plan medication refills in advance, discuss your dietary needs with your host and research healthy options or substitutions at restaurants.
- Empower yourself with a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), a wearable device which provides real-time blood sugar readings without having to prick your finger.
