The CGM Blog
Managing & Controlling Diabetes Through Self-Care, Education & Technology
Living a healthy, full life requires a dynamic approach to diabetes management. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and in many cases, the two are interconnected. Managing and controlling your diabetes can come in many forms, from monitoring your blood sugar to discussing your condition with the people you love and seeking both the medical and emotional care you need to stay healthy.
Managing and controlling your diabetes starts with you, but it doesn't have to be something you shoulder alone. While it’s important to take responsibility for monitoring your health and stay on top of your goals, it’s just as important to have a solid support network.
Educating yourself about diabetes plays an additional role in the way you approach your treatment. Learning about different types of diabetes, the signs and symptoms of high and low blood sugar, how to count carbs, and other educational information may help you manage the condition.
Leveraging new technology can also help you track your glucose, which is a part of understanding the impact your carb intake and physical activity have on your diabetes. This data can then be shared with your healthcare team to let them monitor your progress and suggest adjustments to your treatment plan as needed.
All of these strategies are forms of diabetes care. While it's not necessary that you do everything on this list, trying some of these approaches may help in your diabetes management. Speak with your health care provider whenever you’re considering new diabetes management habits to make decisions that are best for you. By managing and striving to control your diabetes, you can enhance your wellbeing and live a fulfilling, healthy life.
Prioritise Management & Self-Care
Self-care in diabetes can take many forms, from the activities you do, to the food you eat, from the way you cope with stress, to learning new diabetes management strategies. These choices, and more, can have an impact on your daily physical and mental health.
An article in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders has outlined "seven essential self-care behaviours" for people living with diabetes.1 It states that each behaviour on its own is not significant in a diabetes management plan, but in fact, all seven can be incorporated into a diabetes management plan.
- Eating healthy foods can assist in keeping your blood sugar stable2, as well as improve your overall health. Keep in mind, there are many different ways to eat healthily, and it is important to find what works best for you.
- Exercise helps control blood sugar levels, and it has many other health benefits as well.3 Be sure to find an activity that you enjoy, so you will be more likely to stick with it.
- Checking your blood sugar levels regularly will help you understand how different foods, activities, and medications affect your blood sugar.4
- Medication should be used as prescribed and as indicated.1
- Problem-solving skills, healthy coping skills, and risk-reduction behaviours can include managing your stress levels or learning how to adjust your insulin doses when you’re sick.
While checking every box on this list may seem daunting, it's good to remember that these behaviours can be incorporated into your life gradually. Start with one or maybe two and work your way up. Be sure to keep track along the way. Self-reporting activities like journaling, keeping a food diary, and monitoring your glucose levels can give you a better picture of how you’re progressing.
If you're struggling to stick with any of these diabetes self-care behaviours, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you develop a plan that works for you and offer support along the way.
Find Support in Education
Education with a focus on self-management has been shown to be an important factor in managing and controlling diabetes.1 Diabetes Canada recognizes that educating yourself is necessary for people living with diabetes to achieve their health goals.5
Taking initiative to learn more about diabetes is a combination of seeking knowledge and paying attention to your body to understand your unique needs. This can look like learning about monitoring your blood sugar levels, managing carbohydrate intake, and taking medications as prescribed.5 There are plenty of resources you can turn to for ongoing education, such as the latest research in reputable journals or speaking to your healthcare team.
You can also learn from the encouragement and practical help from those around you, like family, friends, health professionals, or others who care about you. This can include getting advice on problem-solving, coping with stress, and adapting to new lifestyle changes.5
The more you know, the better equipped you can be to make decisions about your care. In fact, organisations like the World Health Organization6, The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists7, and The American Diabetes Association8 all note the importance of people living with diabetes becoming knowledgeable and active participants in their own care.
Use Technology As A Guide
Thanks to modern technology, diabetes management has come a long way in recent years. Today, there are many tools available to help you stay on top of your glucose levels and manage your diabetes.
One of these innovative tools is continuous glucose monitoring technology, such as the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System, which includes a small wearable device that continuously measures your glucose in the body. This information can then be viewed in the Dexcom G6 app on a compatible smartphone† or receiver, allowing you to see where your glucose level is and where it’s heading throughout the day and night.
The customizable alerts with the Dexcom G6 are a key feature that can help manage and improve control your diabetes as well. The crucial Urgent Low Soon alert can even warn you up to 20 minutes before a serious low (<3.1mmol/L) so you can take immediate action. CGM can be useful for connecting you with your support network to help you stay on top of your health. The Dexcom Follow app‡ lets you share glucose data with your family and friends, helping you get the support needed to keep you on the right track.
Don't forget about the wealth of diabetes information now available online. You can find everything from recipes to support groups, all with a few clicks of a button. Keep in mind that not every source you find online is reliable, so it's a good idea to do your homework and make sure the information you're getting is accurate. Organisations like Diabetes Canada, The American Diabetes Association, and the Public Health Agency of Canada are all good places to start.
If you are unsure about the accuracy of the information you find online, talk to your doctor or diabetes educator. They will be able to help you find the resources that are right for you.
Managing Diabetes Starts With You
When it comes to managing and controlling diabetes, there is no one road to success. Technology, community, self-care and education all have a part to play in your diabetes management plan, but it also takes so much more. When you take the lead on your diabetes management and seek out support from clinicians, loved ones, and educators, you can equip yourself with tools and resources to help you monitor your glucose, make informed decisions, and build healthy habits.
Begin your diabetes management journey by talking to your doctor about what kind of management plan is right for you. They can help you create a personalised plan that takes into account your individual needs.
† For a list of compatible devices, visit www.Dexcom.com/compatibility.
‡ Separate Follow app and an internet connection required. Users should always confirm readings on the Dexcom G6 app or receiver before making treatment decisions.
‡ Separate Follow app and an internet connection required. Users should always confirm readings on the Dexcom G6 app or receiver before making treatment decisions.
1 Shrivastava S, Shrivastava P, Ramasamy J. Role of self-care in management of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Metab Disorders. 2013;12(14). doi: 10.1186/2251-6581-12-14
2 American Diabetes Association. Food & Blood Sugar | Make your food work for your blood sugar. ADA website. Accessed 19 July 2022. https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition/food-and-blood-sugar
3 Diabetes Canada. Physical activity. Diabetes Canada website. Accessed 19 July 2022. https://www.diabetes.ca/managing-my-diabetes/tools---resources/physical-activity
4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Monitoring Your Blood Sugar. CDC website. Accessed 19 July 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/managing-blood-sugar/bloodglucosemonitoring.html
5 Diabetes Canada. Self-Management Education & Support. Diabetes Canada Website. Accessed 19 July 2022. https://www.diabetes.ca/health-care-providers/clinical-practice-guidelines/chapter-7#panel-tab_FullText
6 WHO: Diabetes. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Retrieved July 21, 2022, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes#tab=tab_1
7 Feld, S. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: the Aace System of Intensive Diabetes Self-Management—2002 Update. Endocrine Practice. 2002;8(Suppl. 1):40-82. doi: 10.4158/ep.8.s1.40
8 Haas L, Maryniuk M, Beck J, Cox C, Duker P, Edwards L, et al. National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. Diabetes Care. 2012;35(11):2393-2401. doi: 10.2337/dc12-1707
9 Cheng AYY, Feig DS, Ho J, Siemens R, Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines Steering C. Blood Glucose Monitoring in Adults and Children with Diabetes: Update 2021. Can J Diabetes. 2021;45(7):580-587. doi:10.1016/j.jcjd.2021.07.003
2 American Diabetes Association. Food & Blood Sugar | Make your food work for your blood sugar. ADA website. Accessed 19 July 2022. https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition/food-and-blood-sugar
3 Diabetes Canada. Physical activity. Diabetes Canada website. Accessed 19 July 2022. https://www.diabetes.ca/managing-my-diabetes/tools---resources/physical-activity
4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Monitoring Your Blood Sugar. CDC website. Accessed 19 July 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/managing-blood-sugar/bloodglucosemonitoring.html
5 Diabetes Canada. Self-Management Education & Support. Diabetes Canada Website. Accessed 19 July 2022. https://www.diabetes.ca/health-care-providers/clinical-practice-guidelines/chapter-7#panel-tab_FullText
6 WHO: Diabetes. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Retrieved July 21, 2022, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes#tab=tab_1
7 Feld, S. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: the Aace System of Intensive Diabetes Self-Management—2002 Update. Endocrine Practice. 2002;8(Suppl. 1):40-82. doi: 10.4158/ep.8.s1.40
8 Haas L, Maryniuk M, Beck J, Cox C, Duker P, Edwards L, et al. National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. Diabetes Care. 2012;35(11):2393-2401. doi: 10.2337/dc12-1707
9 Cheng AYY, Feig DS, Ho J, Siemens R, Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines Steering C. Blood Glucose Monitoring in Adults and Children with Diabetes: Update 2021. Can J Diabetes. 2021;45(7):580-587. doi:10.1016/j.jcjd.2021.07.003