Actively Managing Type 2 Diabetes is Key to Good Health

Diabetes. It is often referred to as the “silent” disease because studies show that one in every four people may have had it for years and don’t even know it. Symptoms often develop slowly and may not be noticeable to the individual. Diabetes is an endocrine disorder that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal, which can lead to a variety of life-threatening conditions.

At Valhalla Wellness and Medical Centers, we offer a two-pronged approach to diabetes care: to help you manage the discomfort caused by your illness, in addition to improving your overall health by finding long-term solutions that will increase your quality of life.

Although research has yet to fully understand why some people develop diabetes, there are some known risk factors and topping the list is excess weight. Here we offer the following tips to help you manage — or prevent — the condition through smart lifestyle choices:

1. Adopt a healthy diet: If you are overweight or obese, a weight loss of 5-10 percent of your body weight can improve your heart health, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and improve your blood sugar. Eat lots of vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.
2. Exercise regularly: Simple things such as walking an extra 30 minutes a day, five days a week can help shed pounds and lower blood sugar levels.
3. Don’t smoke: Smokers are up to 40 percent more likely to develop diabetes and more likely to have organ damage.
4. 4. Take care of your feet: Nerve damage, circulation problems, and infections can cause serious foot problems for people with diabetes, such as blisters, sores, or ulcers. Poor circulation can make these injuries slow to heal, and can lead to amputation of a toe, foot, or leg.
5. Get tested regularly: Get a hemoglobin A1C test at least twice a year to determine what your average blood glucose level was for the past two to three months. Get your blood pressure checked at every doctor’s visit.

At Valhalla Wellness and Medical Centers, our goal is to help you effectively manage your symptoms, and develop a personalized treatment program to ultimately reduce your reliance on medication, and helping you live your best, healthiest life. For more information, give us a call today.

By Valhalla Wellness & Medical Centers

January 17, 2022