how to control diabetes

diabetes care record

2008-01-12T00:50:00.001-08:00

Record your targets and the date, time, and results of your tests. Take
this card with you on your health care visits. Show it to your health
care team to remind them of tests you need.

A1C - At least twice each year Usual goal: less than 7					My Target
Date:
Result:
BLOOD PRESSURE (BP) - Each visit Usual goal: less than 130/80					My Target
Date:
Result:
CHOLESTEROL (LDL) - Once each year Usual goal: less than 100					My Target
Date:
Result:
WEIGHT - Each visit My Goal: _______					My Target
Date:
Result:

Diabetes Care	Date	Result
Each visit
Foot check
Review self-care
Plan
Weight check
Once each year
Dental exam
Dilated eye exam
Complete foot exam
Flu shot
Kidney check
At least once
Pneumonia shot

Self Checks of Blood Glucose

Record your targets and the date, time, and results of your tests. Take
this card with you on your health care visits. Show it to your health
care team to remind them of tests you need.

Before meals:
Usual goal 90 to 130

My target:

1-2 hours after meals:
Usual goal below 180

My target:

Bedtime:
Usual goal 110-150

My target:

get routine care

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Check Your Own Blood Glucose

See your health care team at least twice a year to find and treat any problems early. Ask what steps you can take to reach your goals.

At each visit be sure you have a:

blood pressure check
foot check
weight check
review of your self-care plan shown in Step 3

Two times each year get:

A1C test - it may be checked more often if it is over 7

Once each year be sure you have a:

cholesterol test
triglyceride (try-GLISS-er-ide) test - a type of blood fat
complete foot exam
dental exam to check teeth and gums - tell your dentist you have diabetes
dilated eye exam to check for eye problems
flu shot
urine and a blood test to check for kidney problems

At least once get a:

Pneumonia (nu-mo-nya) shot

Ask your health care team about these and other tests you may need. Ask what the results mean.
Write down the date and time of your next visit.
Use the card of the back of this booklet to keep a record of your diabetes care.
If you have Medicare, ask your health care team if Medicare will cover some of the costs for
- learning about healthy eating and diabetes self-care
- special shoes, if you need them
- medical supplies
- diabetes medicines

manage ur diabetes

2008-01-12T00:48:00.001-08:00

Many people avoid the long-term problems of diabetes by taking good care of themselves. Work with your health care team to reach your ABC goals. Use this self-care plan.

Use your diabetes meal plan. If you do not have one, ask your health care team about one.
Eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, chicken or turkey without the skin, dry peas or beans, whole grains, and low-fat or skim milk and cheese.
Keep fish and lean meat and poultry portion to about 3 ounces (or the size of a deck of cards). Bake, broil, or grill it.
Eat foods that have less fat and salt.
Eat foods with more fiber such as whole grains cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta.
Get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. Brisk walking is a great way to move more.
Stay at a healthy weight by using your meal plan and moving more.
Ask for help if you feel down. A mental health counselor, support group, member of the clergy, friend, or family member who will listen to your concerns may help you feel better.
Learn to cope with stress. Stress can raise your blood glucose. While it is hard to remove stress from your life, you can learn to handle it.
Stop smoking. Ask for help to quit.
Take medicines even when you feel good. Ask your doctor if you need aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke. Tell your doctor if you cannot afford your medicines or if you have any side effects.
Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling. Call your health care team right away about any sores that do not go away.
Brush your teeth and floss every day to avoid problems with your mouth, teeth, or gums
Check your blood glucose. You may want to test it one or more times a day. Use the card at the back of this booklet to keep a record of your blood glucose numbers. Be sure to take this record to your doctor visits.
Check your blood pressure if your doctor advises.
Report any changes in your eyesight to your doctor.

Talk with your health care team about your blood glucose targets. Ask how and when to test your blood glucose and how to use the results to manage your diabetes.
Use this plan as a guide to your self-care.
Discuss how your self-care plan is working for you each time you visit your health care team.

know ur diabetes ABC's

2008-01-12T00:47:00.002-08:00

Talk to your health care team about how to manage your A1C (blood glucose or sugar), Blood pressure, and Cholesterol. This will help lower your chances of having a heart attack, a stroke, or other diabetes problems. Here's what the ABCs of diabetes stand for:

A for the A1C test (A-one-C)
It shows you what your blood glucose has been over the last three months. The A1C goal for most people is below 7. High blood glucose levels can harm your heart and blood vessels, kidneys, feet, and eyes.

B for Blood pressure.
The goal for most people is 130/80.

High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard. It can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.

C for Cholesterol. (ko-LES-ter-ol)
The LDL goal for most people is less than 100.
The HDL goal for most people is above 40.

LDL or "bad" cholesterol can build up and clog your blood vessels. It can cause a heart attack or a stroke. HDL or "good" cholesterol helps remove cholesterol from your blood vessels.

Ask your health care team:
- What your A1C, blood pressure, and Cholesterol numbers are
- What should your ABC numbers should be
- What you can do to reach your targets
Write down all your numbers on the record card at the back of this booklet.

learn about diabetes

2008-01-12T00:47:00.001-08:00

Diabetes means that your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. There are two main types of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes - the body does not make insulin. Insulin helps the body use glucose from food for energy. People with type 1 need to take insulin every day.

Type 2 diabetes - the body does not make or use insulin well. People with type 2 often need to take pills or insulin. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes.

Gestational (jes-TAY-shon-al) diabetes - may occur when a woman is pregnant. It raises her risk of getting another type of diabetes, mostly type 2, for the rest of her life. It also raises her child's risk of being overweight and getting diabetes.

Diabetes is serious.

You may have heard people say they have "a touch of diabetes" or "your sugar is a little high." These words suggest that diabetes is not a serious disease. That is not correct. Diabetes is serious, but you can learn to manage it!

All people with diabetes need to make healthy food choices, stay at a healthy weight, and be physically active every day.

Taking good care of yourself and your diabetes can help you feel better. It may help you avoid health problems caused by diabetes such as:

heart disease and stroke.
eye problems that can lead to trouble seeing or going blind.
nerve damage that can cause your hands and feet to feel numb. Some people may even lose a foot or a leg.
kidney problems that can cause your kidneys to stop working.
gum disease and loss of teeth.

When your blood glucose is close to normal you are likely to:

have more energy.
be less tired and thirsty and urinate less often.
heal better and have fewer skin, or bladder infections.
have fewer problems with your eyesight, feet, and gums.

Ask your health care team what type of diabetes you have.
Learn why diabetes is serious.
Learn how caring for your diabetes helps you feel better today and in the future.

diabetes control

2008-01-12T00:45:00.000-08:00

Your doctor says you have diabetes. This section will help you learn how to take care of your diabetes and prevent some of the serious problems that diabetes can cause.

Here are four key steps to help you control your diabetes and live a long and active life.

1. Learn about diabetes.

2. Know your diabetes ABCs.

3. Manage your diabetes.

4. Get routine care to avoid problems.

You may want to share this information with your family and friends so that they too will understand more about diabetes and how they can help you control your diabetes.

As you learn more about diabetes, be sure to ask your health care team any questions you might have.

For more information and tips about how to control your diabetes and live a long, active life, check out any of the materials below.

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Diabetes (diabetes mellitus): a condition characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from the body's inability to use blood glucose for energy. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas no longer makes insulin and therefore blood glucose cannot enter the cells to be used for energy. In type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body is unable to use insulin correctly.

pre-diabetes: a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and for heart disease and stroke. Other names for pre-diabetes are impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose.

type 1 diabetes: a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a total lack of insulin. Occurs when the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults.

type 2 diabetes: a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body's inability to use insulin efficiently. Type 2 diabetes develops most often in middle-aged and older adults but can appear in young people.

About diabetes

2008-01-12T00:40:00.000-08:00

Diabetes is a serious chronic disease that can be managed through lifestyle changes and medication. Nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes, and at least 54 million people over age 20 have pre-diabetes. Whether you just found out you have diabetes or have been dealing with it for years, you can control your diabetes and live a long, active life. If you are at risk or have pre-diabetes, you can take small steps to prevent the disease.