How to keep your Diabetes under control?

 With more than 77 million people diagnosed with diabetes in India and more than 500 million people diagnosed all over the world, this ailment is a serious issue indeed. One in six people affected by diabetes in the world is from India. The nation stands second in the top 10 countries with the most diabetic patients. As depressing as these statistics may sound, it is crystal clear that our country has a diabetic problem that needs drastic measures to be fixed. The causes of this disease are numerous but there are a few ways to maintain its effects and keep it under control.

Have control over what and how much you eat

It is very crucial to follow a proper diet plan and know what enters your body especially if you’re a senior with diabetes. Reduce the amount of sugar consumed as much as possible. This includes indirect sugar or starch present in non-sweetened food. Steer clear of empty carbs and trans fats. Intake healthy fats present in food items like olive oil, almonds, avocados, fish to name a few. Increase dietary fiber intake in your diet, this makes you feel full. even with lesser food consumed. Reduce the amount of food you eat on every portion. Eat from a smaller plate so that you feel like you’ve eaten the usual amount even if you’ve eaten lesser. Eat only half of what’s served to you in restaurants. You could always request for the remaining to be packed to eat later.

Stay fit and active

Doctors all over the world recommend 30 minutes of exercise every day for 5 days a week. You could begin slowly with simple and mild exercise. You can even split up the 30 minutes as per your convenience while starting off. Exercise could be in any form from cycling, walking, aerobics, to Zumba, swimming, or even chair yoga. This not only helps keep your diabetes in check but also takes care of your general health and helps reduce stress. Regular exercises play a vital role in weight loss which is a dire need if you’re a diabetic patient also suffering from obesity. Obesity and diabetes are extremely harmful combinations. 

Check glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels regularly

Both high and low glucose levels are harmful to you. As we age, it is pivotal to regulate blood pressure and reduce the cholesterol levels in your blood. This is because abnormal blood pressure or high blood cholesterol both can cause heart diseases. Being diabetic only makes this even riskier. So, go on periodic medical checks ups to examine all these levels and take appropriate steps to maintain healthy levels.

Never miss a dose of medicine and take all the required vaccines

If you’re elderly with diabetes do note that all the medicines prescribed to you have their purpose. Taking the right dosage at the required time is also important. Excessive dosage or skipping of doses could result in risky consequences or complications. Being diabetic makes you easily prone to flu, cold, and other contagious diseases. So get yourself vaccinated against all of them as their effects could also be rather severe on you.

Make sure the other parts of your body are free from ailments

Diabetic patients also have a higher risk of getting heart diseases, kidney ailments, hearing and vision loss, severe infections, and dental problems to name a few. So go on regular check-ups to see if your body isn’t affected by such issues. Even if it is affected, periodic check-ups could help you diagnose at an early stage in which curing is relatively easier. Also, stay on the lookout for symptoms shown by your body to detect any issues as early as possible. Watch your feet regularly. If you find cuts or infections which haven’t healed for a long time consult a doctor immediately. Being ignorant could even lead you to lose a toe.

Quit smoking and alcohol

Almost all alcoholic drinks have significant amounts of sugar in them. Ensure you limit your consumption as much as possible. It is advisable to quit them all together, especially as you age, to protect and maintain your overall health. Smoking and tobacco consumption are very harmful to any human being. But if you’re a diabetic senior their effects are so much more severe and intense. Hence quit smoking and tobacco usage.

Following all of the above regularly could be a difficult task to do on your own. With family members being very busy these days diabetic care could be a difficult endeavor. Moreover, you might miss out on doing any of the important things because of being occupied with work. To avoid all of this you could always shift to senior assisted living facilities like Antara Senior Care. 

At Antara, professional caretakers have an organized way of taking care of you so that you don’t miss out on anything. From providing customized diet plans, regular medical check-ups, 24/7 clinic and ambulance service, flexible care options based on your needs to having a friendly environment for healthy aging and taking care of you as their own Antara Senior Care really go an extra mile for you. You could also consider their home physiotherapy services to get expert consultation on the kind of exercises you should do. Since it is at your home everything from the timings to duration is under your control which makes the whole process a lot easier and flexible for you.

For more information, visit: https://antaraseniorcare.com/care-homes/