If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you can manage it with meal planning, physical activity,
and, if needed, medications. Here are 4 key steps to control your Diabetes and live a long
and active life.

Step 1     Learn About Diabetes
Step 2     Know Your Diabetes ABC Numbers
Step 3     Manage Your Diabetes
Step 4     Get Routine Care to Avoid Problems

 

Taking good care of diabetes will help you feel better and avoid the health problems diabetes
can cause such as:

• Heart disease and stroke.
• Eye disease that can lead to vision problems or even going blind.
• Nerve damage that can cause your hands and feet to feel numb.
• This can lead to loss of a foot or a leg.
• Kidney problems.
• Gum disease and loss of teeth.

When your diabetes is in good control, you are more likely to feel better and

• Be less tired and thirsty and urinate less often.
• Heal better and have fewer gum, skin, or bladder infections.
• Be less likely to have blurry vision or numb hands or feet.

Step 1 Learn About Diabetes
Click here to learn more About Diabetes.

Step 2 Know Your Diabetes ABC’s

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. These are
called the ABCs of diabetes.

 

A is for the A1C test.

It shows how well your blood glucose has been controlled over the last 3 months. It should
be checked at least twice a year. The goal for most people is less than 7. Our screening
program is available to test your HgbA1c in a convenient way. Just log on and order your next
screening and visit a patient service center for your blood test.
High blood glucose levels can harm your kidneys, feet, and eyes.

 

B is 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 is for cholesterol.

The LDL goal for most people is less than 100. Our screening program is available to test
your cholesterol levels in a convenient way. Just log on and order your next screening and
visit a patient service center for your blood test.
Bad cholesterol, or LDL, can build up and clog your blood vessels. It can cause a
heart attack or a stroke.

 

Step 3 Manage Your Diabetes

Many people avoid the long-term problems of diabetes by taking good care of themselves and
the ABCs of diabetes. Work with your health care team, friends, and family to make healthy
lifestyle choices and reach your ABC goals.

• Follow your diabetes food plan. If you do not have one, ask your health care
  team about it.
• Eat the right portions of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables (5 to 9 servings a
  day), fish, lean meats, dry beans, whole grains, and low-fat or skim milk and cheese.
• Eat foods that have less salt and fat.
• Get 30 to 60 minutes of activity on most days of the week.
• Stay at a healthy weight – by being active and eating the right amounts of healthy foods.
• Stop smoking – seek help to quit.
• Take medicines the way your doctor tells you. Ask if you need aspirin to prevent heart
  attack or stroke.
• Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling. Call your health care
  team right away about any sores that won’t heal.
• Brush your teeth and floss every day to avoid problems with your mouth, teeth or gums.
• Check your blood glucose the way your doctor tells you to.

Step 4 Get Routine Care to Avoid Problems

See your health care team regularly to check for problems that diabetes can cause. Regular
check-ups help to prevent problems or find them early when they can be treated and managed
well. Along with the checks of your A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol, here are some tests
that you will need…

 

At each visit get a:

• Blood pressure check – if over 130/80, ask what steps to take to reach your goal
• Weight check
• Foot check

Two times each year get:

• A1C check – check more often if over 7
• Dental exams to prevent gum disease and loss of teeth. Tell your dentist you have diabetes.

Once each year get a:

• Cholesterol check – if LDL over 100, ask what steps to take to reach your goal
• Dilated eye exam to check for eye problems
• Complete foot exam to check on foot health
• Urine and blood tests to check for kidney problems
• Flu shot

At least once get a:

• Pneumonia shot

Complications of Diabetes

Prevent Long-Term Diabetes Problems

Prevention of long-term diabetes problems is the ultimate goal of someone who has been
diagnosed with diabetes. People with diabetes must control their blood glucose, blood
pressure, and cholesterol to prevent the problems of diabetes:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Vision loss
• Kidney problems
• Nerve damage
• Impotence
• Foot or leg amputation
• Gum disease and loss of teeth.

Here are the key self-care activities to help you manage your diabetes and live a long and
healthy life.

 

Daily

• Follow your diabetes meal plan with the correct portion sizes. Eat a variety of foods
  that are high in fiber and low in fat and salt.
• Be active every day.
• Take medicines as prescribed. If you have questions, talk to your pharmacist or
  doctor about your medicines.
• Look at your feet and wash and dry them well each day. Tell your podiatrist or
  health care team about any changes with your feet.
• Check your mouth daily for gum or tooth problems. Call your dentist right away if
  you have problems with your teeth or gums.