Disclosure: This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.
My Juelita had diabetes. In fact, she had it to the point where she eventually lost both of her legs to the disease. Knowing this, my dad began taking precautions to try to manage the effects of diabetes as soon as he was diagnosed.
Manage Effects of Diabetes
Studies show that 1 in three American adults have pre-diabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. This is basically where my dad falls. My dad has learned to eat better, healthier foods, to exercise, and to simply be more aware of his overall health. To listen to his body and know his limits. One of the most important steps to take is to eat well and maintain a healthy weight. This helps lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. November is Diabetes Awareness Month and Healthy Essentials wants to help you learn more about the disease. Find diabetes-healthy recipes and other information about diabetes at HealthyEssentials.com.
There are other tips to help manage the effects of diabetes that can also further minimize that risk. These tips include:
- Maintain healthy oral care habits: Problems associated with gum disease increases with diabetes. Visiting your dentist twice a year is the best way to maintain good oral health and treat problems early. At home, you can also use LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN® Mouthwash that has the clinically proven plaque and germ-killing power of LISTERINE® Antiseptic.
- Treat wounds immediately: Diabetics can be at higher risk for wound problems due to reduced skin sensation, blood circulation and slowed natural defense system. Infection can lead to serious health problems so take care of any wounds as they appear. NEOSPORIN® Original Ointment provides 24 hour infection protection and a simple BAND-AID® can further protect those cuts and scrapes.
- Control blood sugar: Learning to reduce the intake of carbohydrates and calories is a necessary lifestyle change. The use of low-and no-calorie sweeteners, such as SPLENDA®, can help decrease the intake of carbohydrate and calories, which may further help with weight management and blood glucose control.
I think that perhaps the most challenging for most diabetics is controlling blood sugar. I know my Juelita often struggled with it, as does my dad. He works hard to watch his levels and often foregoes his favorite part of a meal, dessert, to stay healthy. For him, it has been a process over several years. But, it has been one he has embraced and does well.
The tips above, coupled with others he has discovered along the way, have kept him in good health. Some changes are simply worth making.
How do you manage effects of diabetes?
Get coupons from J&J for the products mentioned above to help manage the effects of diabetes… as well as several others.