 |
| (Google Image) |
By Terry Orr
I am a Type-2 Diabetic – non-insulin and have been for nearly
twenty years and I am still learning more and more about this disease and
complications from diabetes. Today’s article focuses on two primary areas – Managing
Diabetes and good references/links
for excellent education information and support.
 |
| (Google Image) |
Managing Diabetes - It’s not easy, but
it’s worth it.
The
National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) website provides a wealth of
excellent information on diabetes. Diabetes
Education Materials for People with Diabetes and their Families:
- 4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes - For
Life;
- Know Your Blood Sugar Numbers;
- Help a Loved One with Diabetes; and
- “A Guide to Changing Habits.”
 |
| (Google Image) |
Step 1: Learn about diabetes.
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 -
occurs in some women when they become pregnant. It raises her future risk of
developing diabetes, mostly type 2. It may raise her child's risk of being
overweight and developing type 2 diabetes.
 |
| (Google Image) |
Step 2: Know your diabetes ABCs.
Talk to
your health care team about how to manage your A1C, Blood pressure, and
Cholesterol. This can help lower your chances of having a heart attack, stroke,
or other diabetes problems. Here's what the ABCs of diabetes stand for:
A for the
A1C test (A-one-C).
- It shows what your blood glucose has
been over the last three months. The A1C goal for many people is below 7. High
blood glucose can harm your heart and blood vessels, kidneys, feet, and eyes.
B for Blood
pressure.
- The goal for most people with diabetes
is below 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 people with diabetes is
below 100.
- The HDL goal for men with diabetes is
above 40.
- The HDL goal for women with diabetes is
about 50.
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.
 |
| (Google Image) |
Step 3: Manage your diabetes.
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 target. Use this self-care
plan.
- Follow
your diabetes meal plan.
If you do not have one, ask your health care team to help you develop a meal
plan.
- 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 portions 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 grain 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. NDEP's Diabetes HealthSense provides
online access to resources that support people with diabetes in making changes
to live well.
- Stop
smoking.
Ask for help to quit. Call 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669)
- 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 show it
to your health care team.
- Check
your blood pressure
if your doctor advises.
- Report
any changes
in your eyesight to your health care team.
 |
| (Google Image) |
Step 4: Get routine care.
See your
health care team at least twice a year to find and treat any problems early.
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 have an:
- 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
- Hepatitis B shot
 |
| (Google Image) |
For those
of us who have smartphones – I strongly recommend getting on of the many diabetes apps. They come in all sorts of sizes, shapes,
colors, and capabilities! I have been
using Diabetes Buddy on my iPhone for the past year or so – good app – but I am
still looking for one that suits my specific needs. Every couple of months, I begin my research
looking for “that app” which may satisfy my needs. One feature that you should
insist on is the ability to email those results to y our medial team. Some automatically do so monthly – nice feature
and many doctors appreciate getting the email and enter into your medical
record.
 |
| (Google Image) |
References
and Links:
