16 Ways Managing Diabetes can Improve your Life

Brenda Braslow, MS, RDN, LDN, CDCES - Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)

Do you or a loved one have diabetes? Here are 16 ways that managing diabetes can help you live a longer, happier and healthier life.

If you have diabetes, there are compelling reasons to take charge of your health for a better quality of life. The core of managing diabetes is focusing on The ABCs of Diabetes Self-care:

• Your A1C (Blood sugar)
• Blood pressure
• Blood Cholesterol

The goal is to keep these three measures at target levels that you set with guidance from your healthcare provider.

How Managing Diabetes Can Improve Your Life

1. Less trips to the bathroom. When blood sugars are managed, the kidneys won't go into overdrive, producing extra urine to rid the body of excess glucose.


2. Improved skin hydration. You won't be dehydrating the body with excess urination.


3. Better control of your appetite and better odds of losing weight. In a nutshell, you won't be fighting insulin resistance or out-of-control hunger when sugar is stuck in the blood, leaving body cells starving for energy.


4. A better energy level. Managed blood sugar helps the energy get into the body cells where it's needed, instead of being trapped in the blood.


5. Clearer vision. There is less damage to the small blood vessels in the eyes. Also, sudden changes in blood sugar can cause temporary swelling of the eyes.


6. Cuts and sores have the ability to heal. ABC management is important to enhance blood flow. Also, hydrated skin decreases infection risk.


7. Maintaining good sensation/feeling in your hands and feet. Managing the ABCs helps maintain nerve function and is essential for blood flow to the hands and feet.


8. Better breath. Ketosis, a complication of diabetes, can cause a funky, fruity-smelling breath.


9. Better digestion. This is due to less nerve damage in the digestive system.


10. Decreased odds of having a heart attack or stroke. It's all about ABC management.


11. Less visits to the dentist. High blood glucose can increase the risk of gum infection. Dry mouth is a side effect of high blood sugar and can cause increased oral sensitivity, mouth ulcers, fungal infections and tooth decay. Mouth infections can then cause chronic inflammation, resulting in lingering high blood sugar.


12. Less chance of dementia and stroke. Managing the ABCs minimizes damage to the blood vessels in the brain.


13. Better sexual health. Maintaining good nerve health and blood flow is important for sexual response and function.


14. Better kidney function. Maintaining the small blood vessels of the kidneys helps prevent kidney disease and failure.


15. Better bladder and bowel control. Both blood sugar and blood pressure impact bladder nerve function.


16. Save a ton of money. Health problems from poorly managed diabetes result in more clinic, hospital and lab visits. Ask yourself, "Don't you have better things to do with your time and better ways to spend your money?"

To learn more about managing diabetes and preventing complications, check out these links:

• Diabetes Diary: Do You Know Your ABCs?
• 10 Self Care Strategies to Manage Diabetes
• Diabetes.org/Living with Diabetes/Complications