Diabetes is a serious life-long medical condition and requires long-term treatment and management. Hence, it is not unusual for someone with diabetes to feel frustrated, or even angry. However, a positive and realistic attitude towards your diabetes can help you manage the condition better. Small achievable steps can be made to reduce your risk of serious complications. These steps will go a long way to help you lead a fulfilling life.



Being aware and knowing about the condition is an essential step in coping with diabetes. Here are some measures you can take to better manage and keep your diabetes under control:

Follow-Up with Your Doctor
Have regular check-ups with your family doctor to detect complications early and measures can be done to delay its progression. Your doctor will also be able to screen for other medical problems. It is important to keep to one family doctor.

Keep Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Under Control
Diabetes puts you at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases like heart failure and stroke. Good control of your blood pressure and cholesterol are important in managing your diabetes. By eating healthily and engaging in regular physical activity, you can improve your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Medication may be needed, too.

Keep Your Feet Healthy
Take care and examine your feet daily. People with diabetes are prone to develop foot complications, such as foot ulcers and gangrene, which may lead to amputation. Check your feet every day for cuts, sores, blisters, discoloration or swelling. Go for foot screening at least once a year and consult your doctor immediately if you have a sore or other foot problem that doesn't heal within a few days.

Quit Smoking
Smoking increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, nerve damage, kidney disease and amputation. If you are a smoker, call Quitline at 1800 438 2000 to speak to Quit Advisors for help and support to quit.

Learn to Relax
Stress will make your condition worse. The hormones your body produces in response to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly, which only makes matters worse. Engage in activities that you enjoy such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga or a favourite hobby/sport that will help you to relax. Get enough sleep too. Remember your health is more important than whatever immediate stress that is worrying you.

Set Realistic Goals
Be optimistic and set yourself up to succeed by making small lifestyle changes at a time. Often when people try to change too much at one go, they are more likely to give up. Don't forget to celebrate when you achieve each goal!

Join a Support Group
You may find this helpful as you will be able to meet people with diabetes who understand how you feel and know what you are going through. At these groups you will be able to pick up tips on diabetes management and encouragement from your peers.



There is no cure for diabetes. Much of the management involves keeping blood glucose near normal level as possible to delay or prevent complications. It is important to understand that management of diabetes is not taking medication alone. Good control of blood glucose also requires other lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular physical activity. It is also important that you need support and help from your doctor, dietitian, nurse advisor to keep your diabetes under control.

Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes results when the pancreas no longer produces insulin. Hence, persons with Type 1 Diabetes need insulin injections daily. Besides insulin, treatment also includes a carefully planned diet, physical activity and regular monitoring of blood glucose.

Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes requires a lifelong commitment of blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating, regular physical activity and, sometimes, oral medication or insulin therapy. Although many would require diabetes medication or insulin therapy, some people with Type 2 Diabetes can control their blood glucose with diet and exercise alone. For overweight or obese individuals, weight reduction is also important for good control of diabetes.

Your doctor may also recommend regular HbA1c testing to gauge the control of your diabetes for the past two to three months. Based on the results, your doctor will make adjustment on your medication or meal plan if necessary.

Oral medication for diabetes acts in various ways to improve your blood glucose level. Some medication helps to:

• stimulate your pancreas to produce and release more insulin
• inhibit the production and release of glucose from your liver
• block the action of stomach enzymes that break down carbohydrates