| Diabetes is a serious condition in both men and women | | | | Lower your blood pressure |
| and care should be taken for all people to control | | | | High blood pressure leads to problems with kidney |
| diabetes. Women, however, are at a higher risk for | | | | function, heart attacks, vision, headaches and stroke. |
| cardiovascular disease if they also have diabetes. A | | | | To lower blood pressure: |
| recent study by the Colorado Department of Health | | | | * Eat fresh fruits and vegetables |
| found that women with diabetes are five times are | | | | * Avoid alcohol |
| five times more likely to have cardiovascular disease | | | | * Eliminate tobacco |
| than women without diabetes. In addition women with | | | | * Reduce the amount of salt consumed |
| diabetes are more likely to suffer from a heart attack | | | | * Keep your weight in a safe range |
| or stroke than are men of the same age with | | | | Lower your cholesterol |
| diabetes. | | | | The first step to monitoring your cholesterol is to |
| The key for women to effectively control their | | | | understand what your score is now, and what your |
| diabetes and minimize the risk of cardiovascular | | | | doctor recommends that your score should be. If you |
| disease includes controlling their blood glucose levels | | | | need to lower your cholesterol try: |
| (A1C), blood pressure and cholesterol levels. There are | | | | * Eat fewer fats. Try broiling or grilling lean meats, eat |
| strategies and techniques that women can use to | | | | skinless chicken, fish and turkey on a regular basis. Use |
| effectively control these three components, which will | | | | low fat or no-fat dairy products as much as possible. |
| lead to controlling their diabetes as well. | | | | Read labels and look for foods that are prepared |
| Lower your A1C | | | | without fats. Avoid anything deep-fried; try looking for |
| A1C is the measurement used to indicate blood | | | | baked items instead. |
| glucose levels. This is a simple blood test that will | | | | * Eat fiber daily. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole |
| measure your glucose levels for the past three | | | | grains, legumes, oatmeal and lentils are all great |
| months. This test will help your physician with | | | | sources of fiber. Read package labels to determine |
| understanding your blood glucose levels (A1C) and to | | | | what variety or brand offers the most fiber per |
| what extend that this measure needs to be | | | | serving. |
| decreased. | | | | * Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. |
| Tips to lower your A1C measurement are: | | | | * Exercise regularly. Steady exercise like walking, |
| * Balance your diet over the day. | | | | swimming or cycling is great, and some weight lifting or |
| * Eat carbohydrates in small amounts over the day | | | | muscle building exercises are also beneficial. |
| rather than at one meal. | | | | By monitoring your blood glucose, cholesterol and blood |
| * Exercise for at least 30 minutes per day. This can be | | | | pressure you will help control the risk of cardiovascular |
| broken down into smaller amounts, but should total to | | | | disease that is prevalent in women with diabetes. The |
| at least 30 minutes. Try simple things to start like | | | | tips listed above will not only help with the three |
| walking up the stairs, playing outside with the kids or | | | | factors, but will also help make your diabetes more |
| taking a short walk after each meal. | | | | manageable as well. |