Those suffering from type 2 diabetes know very well how important it is to keep their blood sugar levels under control. Most of them have also experienced unpleasant moments when those levels start racing up and down. Such swings are horrific and cause justified panic. Therefore, it’s vital to control blood sugar levels if you wish to lead a normal life.

How difficult is this challenge? Well, it depends on how disciplined you are. In theory, it’s not that hard, but we all know that some people have great problems adjusting their lifestyle and changing their habits. Let’s take a look at some tips that should help you gain control of not only your blood sugar levels but your life as well.

What happens when blood sugar is not under control?

Type 2 diabetes lowers the production of insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. If the insulin level is low, sugar builds up in the blood and eventually harms nerves and blood vessels, which in turn puts you at risk of heart disease and stroke. If the problem is not solved, hyperglycemia may lead to further problems, such as kidney failure and blindness.

The symptoms of high blood sugar include fatigue, increased thirst, blurry vision, and frequent urination. However, the biggest problem is that you may feel fine without realizing your blood sugar is high. That’s why you need to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.

On the other hand, when your sugar level is too low, hypoglycemia is manifested by dizziness, irritability, sweating, and lack of coordination. This is equally dangerous and can lead to a number of serious problems.

Adjustments to your diet

Your diet is one of the crucial elements that should be considered when it comes to controlling blood sugar. It’s vital that you follow your doctor’s advice to the letter if you wish to keep your situation under control. The recommendation you receive will likely include nuts, whole grains and non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, cucumber, and carrots, which help prevent surges in blood sugar levels while providing you with all the essential nutrients.

It’s also very important not to skip meals if you wish to reverse insulin resistance. You need to spread out your food intake evenly and never skip breakfast. Next, you shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach, since alcohol will make your blood sugar drop up to 24 hours later. So, you have to eat before or while you drink.

Exercising

To be able to manage your blood sugar level over time, you need to introduce regular exercising. The type of exercise you choose will depend on many factors, such as your overall health, age and time you have available. What is absolutely crucial is that you don’t design your own exercise program, but rely on your doctor’s recommendations. Losing weight is also important for those who are overweight or obese. It’s much easier to control your blood sugar if your weight is optimal.

Therapy

It may seem like the most obvious thing to do, but it’s still worth reminding everyone that you need regular therapy, and strictly following your doctor’s advice is a must. Therapy alone can’t successfully regulate your blood sugar levels, but medications are necessary. It may take some time before the best therapy is found, but in order for your doctor to be able to be spot on with it, you need to be a good patient and do what is required from you.

Basically, the process of keeping your blood sugar levels optimal is complex, since it consists of several factors. If you neglect just one of them, you’ll find it impossible to achieve your goals. Also, it’s important that you understand the problem well and realize why all the steps are necessary. Still, if you’re disciplined enough, you’ll realize that you can lead a long and healthy life even with diabetes.