More than 5 million people in the UK have diabetes. Diabetes can affect people of all ages. The good news is that the earlier diabetes is detected, the earlier you can learn to manage your diabetes with simple lifestyle changes.
If you have symptoms or risk factors for diabetes, your GP may recommend a blood test for diabetes. There are multiple blood sugar tests for diabetes that can be taken to measure the sugar (glucose) level in your blood. It’s a simple, safe, and common way to diagnose prediabetes, diabetes, or gestational diabetes.
Visit any Anna Pharmacy branch in South London to get your blood sugar test at our pharmacy in Sutton, Carshalton, Hackbridge, Wallington, or Croydon.
In this article, we’ll provide practical advice on how to effectively manage diabetes through simple dietary and lifestyle modifications.
What is Diabetes?
If you have diabetes, your body is unable to properly process and use glucose from the food you eat. Constantly fluctuating sugar levels and poorly controlled diabetes can lead to serious health complications.
The different types of diabetes include prediabetes, diabetes, or gestational diabetes.
Tips To Manage Your Diabetes with Diet and Lifestyle Changes
1. Eat healthy
Focus on having a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, and whole grains. Limit foods that are high in fat and sugar (including carbs).
2. Exercise regularly
Your goal should be 30 minutes of activity per day that raises your heart rate. This can include simple exercises such as brisk walk or bike ride. An active lifestyle helps you control your diabetes by bringing down your blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity.
3. Get routine check-ups with your GP
See your GP at least twice a year to monitor your diabetes and check for signs of heart disease due to high cholesterol or blood pressure. Your GP will modify your medication if needed.
4. Manage stress
When you’re anxious or stressed, your blood sugar levels go up. Find ways to relieve stress in your daily life through yoga, deep breathing, or any activity that you find relaxing.
5. Stop smoking
If you smoke, your chance of diabetes-related conditions will increase significantly.
6. Limit alcohol consumption
Alcohol can make your blood sugar go too high or too low, which makes consuming alcohol for people with diabetes potentially harmful.
There are three tests that can measure your blood glucose level: a fasting glucose test, a random glucose test, and an A1c test. These are all available at Anna Pharmacy.
Visit us for your blood test for diabetes (fasting test) in Carshalton, Sutton, Hackbridge, Wallington, or Croydon.