The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that approximately 29 million people in America are living with Diabetes today and 1 in 4 doesn’t even know. If you happen to be one of the 29 million or know someone who is, Here are 5 tips for Diabetes care and safety that can help to better manage life with Diabetes.

1.Education – For starters, one of the most useful tips in Diabetes care is to learn as much as you can about the condition. Then, take it one step further and educate the people who are regularly in your life about the condition too, so that you all know how best to help yourself and others live with Diabetes daily. There are a significant number of blogs available that focus on Diabetic education and how to make the best of it. Additionally, there are books, videos, podcasts and online groups that include Facebook groups and forums where people can get together and learn by sharing their experiences and knowledge.

2. Healthy Eating & Exercise – Once you’ve learned about Diabetes, you’ll understand how important of a role healthy eating and exercise play with too. The low-carb Keto diet has gained a lot of attention over the past few years and though it’s not been scientifically concluded to be an effective diet for persons with Diabetes, it appears to help some people initially lose weight and it might be a good idea to use it short term until you get your healthy eating on track. You’ll want to focus on having a well-balanced diet. Pay attention to your portion sizes too. You should include some form of consistent weekly exercise in your Diabetes care plan as well.

3. Join the Community – As mentioned above, joining a community filled with other people that have been living with Diabetes for years or even just a short amount of time can help make your journey a whole lot easier. Its human nature to want to connect with others and by joining a Diabetic community you’ll find that by having this in common, it may be easy to make some new friends and to learn new ways to live better and happier.

4. Diabetic Jewelry – Living with Diabetes can present some dangers that a person with no medical conditions simply doesn’t have to worry about. Because of this, its a very smart idea to invest in diabetic jewelry. You can find a number of diabetic bracelets, charms, and necklaces available from online medical jewelry suppliers. You’ll want to pick a type of jewelry that you know you’ll be okay with wearing daily – so it needs to be comfortable and it needs to look good. You may want to consider some options that you let you interchange medical tags and bracelets straps so you can wear your diabetic jewelry with a variety of outfits. It’s a good idea to have your diabetic ID indicate the type of diabetes you have, whether or not you’re insulin dependent, any allergies you have and contact information should you find yourself in a situation where you’re unable to communicate for yourself.

5. Medication – One of the last useful tips for diabetes care and safety is to be sure that you’re using the proper medication. Visit your doctor regularly and discuss the best medications for you. Then, invest the time to learn about your medication. Be sure that its safe to take your medications together if you use more than one and don’t forget to check to see how it interacts with OTC medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements also. Find the right insulin pump for you if you’re insulin dependent. If you’re experiencing any troubles or side effects from your medication, be sure to tell your doctor right away as it could lead to a dangerous health situation for you.

A life with Diabetes is certainly not without its challenges. It can be depressing, it can feel like a constant struggle and it can be downright frustrating, but it doesn’t always have to be hard. Employ a positive mindset and include these 5 tips to help make your life as a Diabetic a safe and beautiful experience.