Nutritionist Yemisi Solanke advises Nigerians with diabetes to prioritize lifestyle changes, regular check-ups, and strict treatment adherence to avoid complications like kidney failure and blindness. She emphasizes that diabetes, worsened by unhealthy diets and inactivity, requires a balanced diet, regular exercise, and medical screenings for effective management. Solanke encourages patients to accept their diagnosis, monitor blood sugar levels, eat proper portions, reduce stress, and engage in regular exercise, while practicing positive thinking. Her advice coincides with World Diabetes Day, themed “Diabetes and Well-being,” focusing on improved care and prevention in all facets of life.

Highlights

* Nutritionist Yemisi Solanke advises diabetics to prioritize lifestyle changes, medical check-ups, and treatment adherence to avoid complications.
* She stresses balanced diets, exercise, stress reduction and blood sugar monitoring, noting diabetes remains a leading non-communicable disease in Nigeria.
* World Diabetes Day, focusing on diabetes and well-being, promotes awareness, prevention, and improved care, particularly in the workplace.

Living Well with Diabetes: Taking Control of Your Health

A message of hope and empowerment for those living with diabetes.

Diabetes. The word itself can feel heavy, a burden to carry. But it doesn’t have to define you. It doesn’t have to steal your joy. With knowledge, proactive steps, and a positive mindset, you can thrive, not just survive. Yemisi Solanke, a leading nutritionist and wellness expert, is urging Nigerians living with diabetes to embrace a path of well-being through lifestyle adjustments and diligent self-care.

Understanding the Stakes: Why Management Matters

Diabetes, a chronic disease impacting millions, requires careful management. According to the World Health Organization, diabetes prevalence has been steadily increasing over the past few decades. Poorly controlled blood sugar levels can lead to devastating complications, including:

• Kidney failure
• Blindness
• Stroke
• Limb amputation

These are stark realities, but they are not inevitable. By prioritizing your health, you can significantly reduce your risk and live a full and active life.

Steps to a Brighter Future: Practical Advice

Solanke emphasizes that managing diabetes is a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Her key recommendations include:

• Acceptance and Emotional Well-being: "A diabetes diagnosis may come as a shock… Usually, these feelings ease after a while, and diabetes becomes part of life." Allow yourself to feel, but don’t let sadness consume you. Acceptance is the first step toward taking control.
• Regular Monitoring: "Undergo tests frequently and write down your results." Knowledge is power. Tracking your blood sugar levels – fasting and random – provides valuable insights for managing your condition.
• Dietary Transformation: "Eat food in the right portion size… Avoid sugar and saturated fats." Embrace a balanced diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Every mindful bite is a victory.
• Stress Reduction: "Stress may cause overeating or undereating, which could trigger hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia." Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature.
• Consistent Exercise: "Engage in 30 minutes of exercise five times a week." Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar levels, and boosts overall well-being. Find an activity you enjoy, whether it’s dancing, brisk walking, or cycling.
• Positive Thinking: "Practice daily positive thinking that you can manage your health very well." Cultivate a mindset of hope and self-efficacy. Believe in your ability to live a fulfilling life with diabetes.

World Diabetes Day: A Call to Action

Observed annually on November 14th, World Diabetes Day is a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness and promoting prevention and care. This year’s theme, "Diabetes and Well-being," underscores the importance of addressing the challenges in diabetes care and prioritizing well-being in the workplace and beyond.

Your Journey Starts Now

Don’t let diabetes control you. Take charge of your health and embrace a life of well-being.

Call to action: Schedule a check-up with your doctor to discuss your diabetes management plan. Small steps today can lead to a healthier, happier tomorrow.

FAQ

Okay, here are 12 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) based on the provided article about diabetes, along with answers derived from the text.

1. What does Yemisi Solanke advise Nigerians with diabetes to do?

**Answer:** Yemisi Solanke advises Nigerians living with diabetes to prioritize lifestyle adjustments, regular medical check-ups, and strict adherence to their treatment regimen to prevent complications.

2. What are some potential complications of poorly managed diabetes?

**Answer:** Poor management of blood sugar levels can lead to severe health problems such as kidney failure, blindness, stroke, and limb amputation.

3. What lifestyle changes does Solanke recommend for people with diabetes?

**Answer:** She recommends adopting balanced diets rich in vegetables and whole grains, engaging in regular physical activity, and undergoing periodic medical screenings.

4. Why is understanding your well-being important for people with diabetes?

**Answer:** Understanding your well-being will help with the prevention of health complications and better health management.

5. How should a person newly diagnosed with diabetes cope with the news?

**Answer:** Acknowledge the initial shock and overwhelming feelings, but understand that these feelings usually ease over time and diabetes becomes part of life.

6. What kind of records should a person with diabetes keep?

**Answer:** People with diabetes should undergo tests frequently and write down their results, indicating whether it's fasting blood sugar or random blood sugar.

7. What does Solanke recommend eating?

**Answer:** She advises eating food in the right portion size: lots of vegetables, some carbohydrates, a moderate portion of lean protein, and a small amount of unsaturated fat. She also advises avoiding sugar and saturated fats.

8. How can stress affect people with diabetes?

**Answer:** Stress may cause overeating or undereating, which could trigger hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia.

9. How much exercise is recommended for people with diabetes?

**Answer:** 30 minutes of exercise five times a week is recommended.

10. How can someone achieve the recommended amount of exercise?

**Answer:**  You can achieve your 30 minutes by doing 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes in the afternoon, and 10 minutes in the evening. Examples include dancing, brisk walking, jogging, or cycling.

11. What should someone do before, during, and after exercising with diabetes?

**Answer:** Check your blood sugar before, during, and after exercise. You may also need to eat more carbohydrates and reduce your insulin dose to prevent hypoglycaemia.

12. What is the theme of World Diabetes Day this year?

**Answer:** The theme for this year is "Diabetes and Well-being," focusing on challenges to diabetes care and prevention, and improving diabetes care in the workplace.