Have you ever
wondered why one student gets an A and in that same course the other student
gets an F. Same course, same school, same
lecturer, same textbooks they read, yet results are different. The reason
is simple. The A student knows more than the F student.
This maybe because
the A student is smarter but more often than not the A student is MORE COMMITTED.
This brings me to the
first tool you need to get ‘A’(Excellent) results whenever you check your blood
sugar or do your general body check-ups.
1.
COMMITMENT ON YOUR PART.
Nothing is more
important than this. You are the most important person required to getting
normal blood sugar. How committed are you to acquiring knowledge about the
management of the disease and implementing what you learn? Or is your excuse
that you are not in the medical line so you couldn't care less or do you use
your business, job, children as an excuse?
| MANAGING DIABETES IS A LIFE-LONG COMMITMENT |
2. MAKE FOOD YOUR MEDICINE
If you are
sufficiently aware of those foods that don't spike your sugar, then ensure that
you eat these frequently.
If the foods you have
noticed that don't spike your sugar are few, then stay tuned to us to unveil
more or see an experienced dietician to show you foods that are accessible,
affordable and great for you.
The world is now a global village so
you can always get whatever you
want from anywhere in the world.
3. FEAR
YOUR CHAIR.
The longer you spend
sitting down, (more than 30 minutes at a time), the more you allow your blood
sugar to rise.What controls movement? Your muscles.What clears out sugar from your
system? Actively moving muscles.
You can seek the services of a
physiotherapist to design an exercise program for you.
4. SOCIAL SUPPORT.
Have you heard of the
blue zones of the world? These people are known to live the longest. They are
very big on social interactions. They place emphasis on meaningful relationships.
·
If your friends are
not the kind of people you can tell about your health challenge and get helpful
support from them, then you need new friends.
·
If you can’t tell
your friends, that you don’t have alcohol or soft drinks in your fridge so that
you don’t get tempted and what you can offer them is water or fruits and they
don’t understand, then you need new friends.
·
If you can't tell them
why you can’t munch isi ewu or suya with them then you need new friends.
·
If they mock your
lifestyle changes, then you need new friends.
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5. DRUGS.
I have put these last
because, many people depend on drugs as the most important and only
requirement.
DIABETES REQUIRES A HOLISTIC APPROACH.
Drugs are important
but not the ONLY requirement. Get your prescription from a doctor. If what is
prescribed is not affordable or available then ask for alternatives.
If you have
implemented the above and control not still good then a change in your drugs or
increase in dose maybe appropriate but if you have not implemented the above
then you need the services of a dietician, physiotherapist and a lifestyle
coach/ educator. The management of diabetes is expensive but the monthly cost
of managing uncomplicated DM is nothing compared to the cost of managing its
complications.
If you have no complications, your estimated
expense per month is 30,000 NAIRA (or less if you have insurance)
VS
Thousands of dollars/pounds (or its
equivalent) if you suffer a complication like Kidney failure, blindness,
foot amputation, heart surgery etc.
Even after spending
all that money on complications, you would still come back to status quo and be
required to spend the regular monthly costs on food items (food restrictions would
even get stricter if renal failure ensues), medications and health professionals fees which of course
would be higher.
ARE YOU WILLING TO BE COMMITTED?
Article written by
Dr(Mrs) Ezinne Erhirhie.
Strive to have a peaceful heart
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