Diabetes is a serious medical condition that needs your attention. Aside from being a minor inconvenience, it can lead to loss of vision and even leg amputation if not treated. Thus, you need to know about what you can do for yourself or a family member at risk of this disease.
This article breaks down the kinds of care and habits you need to form to combat diabetes. Additionally, it also notes the medical examinations that will help in tracking the risk early and doing something about it. If high blood pressure runs in your family’s medical history or you are living an unhealthy lifestyle, you seriously need to consider this article and seek help.
The Harsh Reality, and Some Good News
Diabetes is one of the most persistent and perilous diseases in the U.S., as it affects 34.2 million Americans in 2020. That’s not all, as even the number of individuals highly at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (called prediabetes) is rising, with presently 88 million American adults diagnosed. That’s a mindblowing 1 out of 3 Americans in danger.
The good news is that the medical, pharmaceutical, and healthcare communities are rising up to beat diabetes and related diseases. Americans from different locations are getting and seeking the care they need, such as immediate care in hospitals and clinics around the country—and yes, you too have what it takes to prevent diabetes and seek the immediate care you need.
Immediate Care for Diabetes
There are effective habits and immediate precautions you can take from the comforts of your home, so take note of these guidelines to fight against diabetes:
- Check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels: Diabetes develops easier when you have high blood pressure and cholesterols levels. This is because the flow of blood within your blood vessels is more likely to be irregular or not evenly distributed. This leads to not only diabetes but other serious heart diseases. To mitigate this, visit your walk-in clinic or have a blood pressure monitor at your home to check. Additionally, refrain from eating high-cholesterol foods.
- Check your feet for warning signs: Due to the irregular blood flow, your feet can easily deteriorate in condition. It can develop sores and wounds that don’t heal. It can even lead to a loss in sensation or difficulty in movement. Thus, look out for these warning signs and seek out medical attention immediately to treat them. You should also wash them in lukewarm water and avoid being barefoot wherever you go.
- Drink plenty of water: Another potential trigger to diabetes is hyperglycemia or high blood glucose levels due to a lack of insulin and proper medication. Make sure you are never dehydrated by drinking enough water to keep your body from a hyperglycemic attack.
- Commit to a reduced-fat diet and exercising regularly: As with mitigating any disease, the solution is always a healthy diet and enough exercise. For diabetes, in particular, you want to focus on avoiding fatty or sugary foods and stimulating exercises that don’t make you overexert yourself. If you are unsure, there are walk-in clinics and available medical professionals who can help.
- Be goal-oriented instead of focused on stress: Diabetes can cause stress, which, ironically, also spikes up your blood pressure and impedes your body’s ability to heal. Keep your focus on healthy goals and surround yourself with supportive family and friends to better fight against diabetes.
Seeking Medical Care for Diabetes
Now that you have some idea about managing the condition, consider how you can seek the appropriate medical care by taking note of these guidelines:
- Identify as a pre-diabetic or diabetic patient: During the pre-assessment phase of your checkup or operation, tick the diabetic box to make medical professionals aware of your specific needs. There are related medical complications that certainly need to be accounted for.
- Consider your family’s medical history: It is more likely that you may have diabetic complications if your family had it. Consider asking them or studying their medical records.
- Get the appropriate medical exams: Eye exams and a regular physical will help you both identify early risk or even the severity of your condition. Schedule your appointments immediately to get the proper medication and set needed lifestyle changes. Most walk-in clinics can facilitate these tests.
Conclusion
Beat diabetes by integrating lifestyle changes and seeking the immediate care you need. Additionally, stay proactively working on bettering your condition, and don’t be discouraged. Fight diabetes today!
Are you in need of urgent or family care in New Jersey? We, Agile Urgent Care, are a dedicated team of medical professionals ready to serve you as a walk-in clinic in Secaucus. Get the medical care you need with us!
