With diabetes, you have to work just a bit harder than others to eat right, keep active, and stay healthy. Things you do everyday have an effect on your body and your health. Here are some things you can do to stay healthy.
Steps you can take to control your diabetes:
- Attend self-management education classes offered by your health care provider or a local hospital.
- Know your hemoglobin A1c level. A1c level should be below 7.0.
- See your diabetes educator and registered dietitian as recommended by your doctor.
- Eat a healthy diet. Eat high carbohydrate foods such as starches, fruit and milk evenly over the entire day.
- Eat regularly, watch your portion sizes, lower your fat intake and increase your fiber intake.
- Check your blood sugar as recommended by your doctor.
- Reach or maintain a healthy body weight.
- Keep your blood pressure below 130/80.
- Talk about the use of medicines called statins and ACE inhibitors with your doctor. These medicines have reduced the risk of heart attack and stroke in people who have diabetes.
- Get a yearly dilated and complete eye exam. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness.
- Get a pneumonia shot if you have not already had one.
- Get a flu shot every fall.
- Learn as much as you can about how to keep your diabetes under control.
If you need a reminder, attached is a flier you can print out and put on your refrigerator.
Disclaimer: Nothing mentioned here is intended to replace common sense, legal, medical or other professional advice, and is meant to inform and entertain the reader.
