How Active Are You in Controlling Your Diabetes?
It's important to do all you can to control your
diabetes. Look at the following list. Do these statements accurately describe your level of participation in controlling your diabetes?
I talk to my healthcare team about:
- My special needs to help control my diabetes
- Ways to improve my ABC numbers (A1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol)
- Aspirin therapy to prevent heart problems
- Getting regular physical activity
- Quitting smoking, if needed.
I learn from my doctor, diabetes educator, podiatrist, pharmacist, or dietitian how to:
- Follow a meal plan to control my diabetes
- Check my feet every day
- Take my medicines as prescribed
- Check my blood glucose levels.
I visit my:
- Doctor at least twice a year
- Eye doctor each year and report any changes in vision
- Dentist twice a year
- Specialists, as my doctor advises.
Go over any items you did not check with your healthcare team. Learning how to control your diabetes can help you stay healthy. If needed, ask your healthcare team to help you learn more about diabetes and how to control it.
Managing Diabetes: Take Care of Your Diabetes ABCs
A major goal of
diabetes treatment and managing diabetes is to control the ABCs of diabetes:
- A1c (blood glucose average)
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol.
You can do this in many ways, including:
- Following a meal plan that is made for you.
- Being active every day.
- Taking your medicine as prescribed.
- Asking your pharmacist how taking any non-prescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal products may affect your diabetes or prescription medicines
- Testing your blood glucose on a routine basis.
Talk to your healthcare team about the best ways to control your A1c,
blood pressure, and
cholesterol, and know your target numbers.
Get involved in setting goals and making a treatment plan for your diabetes.
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