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4 Diabetes Care Essentials
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Wondering what you can do to help manage your diabetes? Take this crash course in the essentials
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By Kalia Doner
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Diabetes Focus Second Quarter 2008
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 Consider the National Diabetes Education Program's crash course in the fundamentals.
There are two main types of diabetes. In both, blood glucose is too high, which can lead to health problems if it is not brought into a healthy range. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease; people with type 1 take insulin daily. In type 2, which is caused by a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors, the body either cannot use the insulin it makes or does not make enough insulin. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes.
- Work with your health-care team to set up a diabetes meal plan.
- Eat healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, chicken or turkey without the skin, whole grains and low-fat or skim milk and cheese.
- Get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
- Ask for help if you feel depressed or blue, and learn to manage stress.
- Stop smoking. Ask for help to quit.
- Take your prescribed diabetes medicines. Tell your doctor if you can’t afford your medicines or if side effects keep you from taking them.
- Check your feet every day. Call your doctor about sores that don’t go away.
- Brush your teeth and floss every day.
- Check your blood glucose one or more times a day.
- Check your blood pressure at home if your doctor advises you to.
- Report any changes in your eyesight to your doctor.
- A: the A1C test, which tells you how your glucose control has been over the past three months. The A1C goal for most people is below 7.
- B: blood pressure. The goal for most people with diabetes is 130/80 or less. Elevated blood pressure can damage the kidneys, eyes and heart.
- C: cholesterol. The LDL goal for most people is below 100. The HDL goal for most people is above 40.
Two to four times a year, have an:
At least twice a year, have a:
- Blood pressure check
- Foot check
- Weight check
Once a year, have a:
- Cholesterol and triglyceride test
- Complete foot exam
- Dental exam
- Dilated eye exam
- Flu shot
- Urine and blood test, to check for kidney problems
For more information and help
- National Diabetes Education Program: 800-438-5383; ndep.nih.gov
- American Association of Diabetes Educators: 800-TEAM-UP4 (800-832-6874); diabeteseducator.org
- American Diabetes Association: 800-DIABETES (800-342-2383); diabetes.org
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: 800-860-8747; niddk.nih.gov
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