How Do I Manage My Diabetes?
Your treatment plan will involve a meal plan, exercise and medication (if necessary). The following guidelines will work together for the best control of your diabetes:
- Follow a healthful meal plan. A meal plan will help you eat the right kinds and amounts of food to control your blood sugar and regulate your weight.
- Exercise regularly. For type 1 diabetes, balancing exercise with the foods you eat and the insulin you take will help keep your blood sugar within your target range. For type 2 diabetes, regular exercise will help you make better use of your own insulin.
- Take insulin or other medication as prescribed. Management of diabetes with the proper insulin or medication is key in good diabetes control. Always take medication as prescribed by your doctor.
Important things to remember
Call your doctor if:
- You have a sore on your foot.
- You have a fever.
- You are vomiting.
- Your blood glucose is at a level at which your doctor requested to be notified.
• Check your blood glucose before you take your diabetes pills or insulin, before meals or at other times, as scheduled by your doctor.
• Take your insulin or diabetes pills exactly as prescribed. (This is usually before or with a meal.)
• Always take your insulin or diabetes pills unless your doctor tells you not to take them (for example when fasting).
• Don’t skip meals if you are taking insulin or diabetes pills. Try to take your insulin or diabetes pills and eat your meals at about the same time every day.
• Your eyes and kidneys may be damaged by diabetes even if you don’t feel or see any changes. Be sure to have your eyes checked every year by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) or optometrist who works with people who have diabetes. If you do have eye problems from diabetes, an eye doctor can treat many of these problems. Also, talk to your doctor about having your kidneys checked yearly (for protein or micro albumin).
• Ask your doctor about your blood pressure. Many people with diabetes have high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, take your blood pressure pills every day, or as your doctor prescribes.
• Stress or emotional problems can affect blood glucose level; your blood glucose may be higher when you are under stress or upset. Also, people with diabetes may need help in coping with stress or depression. Talk to your doctor, nurse or social worker if you feel you need help.