Managing Diabetes

Successful diabetes management may reduce the risk of serious long-term health problems associated with the disease, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and nerve damage. Ways to achieve this include controlling blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Other techniques involve working closely with your healthcare team, developing and maintaining a healthy meal plan, and being active every day.

Managing Diabetes: An Overview

Proper
 diabetes management will make you feel better and can lower your chances of getting:
 
 
 
  • Eye disease, which can lead to a loss of vision or even blindness
 
  • Kidney failure
 
  • Gum disease and loss of teeth
 
  • Nerve damage that may cause a loss of feeling or pain in the hands, feet, legs, or other parts of the body and lead to problems such as lower limb amputation or erectile dysfunction.
     
Diabetes affects almost every part of the body, and good diabetes care requires a team of healthcare providers. They include:
 
  • Doctors
  • Diabetes educators
  • Nurses
  • Dietitians
  • Pharmacists
  • Mental health workers
  • Eye specialists
  • Foot specialists
  • Dentists
  • Social workers.
     
This article describes the principles of good diabetes care. These principles can help you in managing diabetes and living a long and active life. Here's what you can do to help yourself:
 
  • Learn as much as you can about diabetes
  • Get regular care for your condition
  • Learn how to control your diabetes
  • Take care of your diabetes ABCs
  • Prevent long-term problems
  • Get checked for long-term problems and treat them promptly.
     
Every person who has diabetes has different needs. Talk to your healthcare team about a diabetes treatment plan that is best for you.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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