Diabetes Awareness Month

While this is National Diabetes Awareness Month, Diabetes can affect your life much longer than that and in many ways- from changes you make in your daily routine to changes in your diet, and even changes in your skin care routine. This can seem overwhelming, but having support and the right plan can help you and your family adjust. Here are a few tips you can use to help manage your diabetes:

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Food: It is important to know how different foods affect your blood glucose (also known as blood sugar). For example, foods like cakes or cookies with more carbohydrates, can make your blood glucose go up higher and more quickly than other foods, like non-starchy vegetables. The amount of food you eat, what time of the day you eat, and the combinations of food you eat can all affect your blood glucose too. Well-balanced meals with a good mix of fruits, vegetables, proteins, healthy fats and whole grains are good for managing diabetes and good for overall health. Your provider’s office or a dietitian can help you with food choices, and help you learn both healthy food choices and foods to stay away from, like high-carbohydrate drinks. Talk to your provider about your medication and meal schedules to help plan when it is best to take your diabetes medications. The American Diabetes Association? has food and nutrition resources to help you navigate nutrition when living with diabetes.

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Exercise: Being physically active can help manage your blood glucose and prevent complications from diabetes. Yoga, dancing, bike riding and jogging are all great examples of ways you can be active to help your overall health. Talk to your provider about ways you can be active during the day. You can read more about being active and activity suggestions from the CDC here.

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Medications: Talk to your pharmacist and your provider’s office to understand how and when to take your medications and how to store them. How you store your medication is important because insulin and some injectable medications should be stored at certain temperatures. If you take medications for other conditions or if you want to take an over-the-counter medication, talk to your provider or pharmacist to see if they will affect how your diabetes medications work. The CDC has tips for managing your medications, including starter questions you can ask your pharmacist and provider. Click here to read more about those.

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Skin Care: Your skin may dry out more with diabetes and have a harder time fending off harmful bacteria, raising your risk for infection. Use a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated (but not in between your toes). Moisturizing soaps may help as well. Choosing a gentle cleanser for diabetes can help soothe your skin. Loose, comfortable clothes can help avoid skin irritation. Check your feet every day for cuts, scrapes, rashes, or sores. Talk to your provider about a good foot care routine and whether it would be good for you to see a podiatrist. The American Diabetes Association has more information on skin care and possible complications.

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Nourish your health this November and beyond:

As part of our overall effort to continue educating people and supporting efforts around diabetes management, we’re proud to collaborate with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and its #NourishMyHealth campaign, which launched earlier this year. Adding nutritious foods to your diet and completing routine health screenings can keep you on a healthy path. Walmart offers health screenings during Wellness Days at our pharmacies several times throughout the year and recognizes the importance of offering accessible and convenient pharmacy services in close proximity to fresh produce.

?While November brings ample amounts of joy, it can also present challenges for people with diseases like diabetes. We are proud of our partnership with the American Diabetes Association to better inform our customers and patients living with diabetes. If you or someone you know has diabetes, remember small changes can have a big impact on health, and your local 沃尔玛 is a great place to learn more! From all of us at Walmart Health & Wellness, we wish you and your loved ones a happy, and healthy, holiday season.

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