Type 2 diabetes may be a common problem in the United States, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to live with a diagnosis. Instead, it can seem confusing and overwhelming — not to mention scary because of the potential health risks. But we have good news.
Blood sugar disorders like diabetes always put your health and wellness at risk. Yet unlike Type 1 diabetes, which requires insulin therapy, the Type 2 form often responds to lifestyle changes.
More simply put, you could significantly improve your health and manage Type 2 diabetes by making a few simple changes to your daily habits. And Dr. Terry L. Franklin can help get you started.
Whether you have Type 2 diabetes or not, trying to make the healthiest choices can seem overwhelming. Dr. Franklin simplifies the process by offering lifestyle education services at his practice in Monterey, California.
This personalized approach ensures you learn how to identify specific aspects in your life that can compromise your health. Then Dr. Franklin provides the tools you need to change them in a supportive environment that nurtures long-lasting results.
If you have Type 2 diabetes, Dr. Franklin might recommend these simple changes as part of your wellness care and lifestyle education strategy.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that means you have high levels of sugar in your blood. Over time, this can cause serious complications to your circulatory, nervous, and immune systems.
Learning as much as possible about your diagnosis can help you better understand your management options and the risks that can arise if you don’t.
In addition to reviewing educational materials about Type 2 diabetes, Dr. Franklin often suggests keeping a food and glucose log. Tracking the foods you eat and their effect on your blood sugar can offer priceless insight into how your body reacts to specific items.
Whether you’re overweight or obese, your waistline can make it harder to manage diabetes.
Plus, carrying extra weight increases your risk for other health problems, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. These two issues, in turn, increase your risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death for those with diabetes.
Dr. Franklin can determine a healthy goal weight and work with you to create a strategy to reach and maintain it.
A healthy diet should be at the top of everyone’s wellness strategy. But it’s crucial when you have Type 2 diabetes. And it’s not just what you’re eating but how much.
If you have diabetes, Dr. Franklin can guide you through dietary changes that keep your blood sugar levels in check, such as:
Dr. Franklin can also help you learn how to coordinate your meals with any medications required to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
You probably know that exercise does your body good. But did you know it also helps to lower your blood sugar levels? And you don’t have to live at the gym to get results.
For the best results, break a sweat regularly. But even taking the stairs or walking throughout the day can help. Low motivation? Try planning workouts or walks with a friend.
Most importantly, start small, especially if you’re new to exercise. Dr. Franklin can discuss the best exercise strategy for you based on your overall health, fitness level, and blood sugar numbers.
Finally, it’s easy to overlook the impact stress can have on the body — and it goes far beyond emotional well-being.
Chronic stress also increases blood sugar and makes it harder to manage the condition. Additional complications of stress include:
Plus, because of stress, some people turn to unhealthy habits to cope, like overeating, skimping on sleep and physical activity, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking. People who smoke have a 30-40% higher risk of diabetes and even higher rates of complications than nonsmokers with diabetes.
Are you stressed? Dr. Franklin can offer personalized pointers on relaxation techniques and other methods for managing stress on a day-to-day basis.
Do you need help managing Type 2 diabetes? Dr. Franklin is ready to provide the support you need. Contact our office to schedule a consultation today.
