Get Fit. When combined with a healthy diet and medicine (when prescribed), exercise can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight, which, in turn helps to control blood sugar levels. Regular, moderate-intensity physical activity can improve your body’s sensitivity
to insulin and help your body better use glucose, particularly if you have type 2 diabetes.
Although regular exercise can help control blood sugar, it can also cause it to dip. Talk to your doctor to find out if you should test your glucose before and after being active. Don’t avoid exercise if it does cause drops in your blood sugar. Just make sure you have healthy snacks – like an apple or banana – on hand. Before beginning any exercise routine, talk to your doctor first.
Take Your Medications. Follow your treatment plan, and take your medicines as prescribed by your doctor – whether in the form of regular insulin injections or diabetes pills. If you take insulin, timing it around your meals is important. Talk to your doctor to determine when and how often you need it.
Track Your Blood Glucose Levels. A glucose meter is the most accurate way to keep track of your blood sugar levels, and it can help you make decisions about your daily care. Mayo Clinic recommends aiming for a blood glucose level between 70 to 130 mg/dL before meals. Talk to your doctor to determine your target range.
Get an A1C Test Twice a Year. A1C testing tracks your average blood sugar level over 3 months, and offers you an accurate snapshot of your blood sugar control over time. If you have diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends getting an A1C test at least twice a year if your glucose levels consistently stay at a healthy range. However, if you change medications or have trouble controlling blood sugar, you may need to be tested more often.
In the meantime, researchers will continue to improve and develop medicines to prevent and even halt neuropathy. Until then, vigilantly controlling your blood sugar levels will go a long way towards protecting, and possibly even preventing, nerve damage. Work closely with your healthcare team to create a treatment plan that helps you better manage your blood glucose levels.
