Living well with diabetes is mostly about simple daily habits plus a few regular checks. These steps help prevent complications and keep you feeling your best. Below is a short, practical checklist you can follow — but always personalise with your clinic team’s advice.
Daily essentials
- Take medicines as prescribed. Tablet or insulin timing matters — follow instructions and don’t skip doses.
- Monitor blood glucose as advised. For many people this means spot checks (fasting, pre/post-meals, or when symptomatic). Keep a log to spot patterns.
- Eat balanced meals and watch portions. Prefer whole grains, vegetables, lean protein and limit sugary drinks and refined carbs. Small, regular meals often help.
- Be physically active. Aim for regular moderate activity most days — even walking 20–30 minutes improves glucose control and heart health.
- Daily foot check. Look for cuts, blisters, redness or swelling; promptly clean and report anything worrying. Foot care prevents serious problems.
Regular checks (talk to your clinic about exact timing)
- A1C / HbA1c every 3–6 months (or as advised) to monitor long-term control.
- Blood pressure & cholesterol checks — cardiovascular risk is important in diabetes.
- Annual/regular review that includes kidney tests (urine microalbumin), eye screening, foot exam and vaccination review.
Sick-day rules & when to call
- If you have vomiting, high fevers, inability to eat/drink, very high or very low glucose, or signs of infection — contact your doctor or visit emergency care promptly. Keep a simple sick-day plan from your clinic (med changes, fluids, when to test more often).
Final notes
Small, consistent habits add up. Diabetes self-care is supported by structured education (DSMES/ADCES7) and regular contact with your healthcare team — ask your clinic about education sessions or handouts.
About the Author
Dr. Raja Ramesh, MD (Osmania)
Consultant Physician & Diabetologist in Attapur, Hyderabad
Available at Germanten Hospital (10am–5pm) & Care Clinic Attapur (5pm–8pm).
📞 Call +91 7989676770 for appointments.