November is Diabetes Awareness Month

MANAGING DIABETES

There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be treated and controlled. The goals of managing diabetes are to:

Keep your blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible by balancing food intake with  medication and activity.

Maintain your blood cholesterol and triglyceride (lipid) levels as near the normal ranges as possible.

Control your blood pressure.  Your blood pressure should not go over 140/90.

Decrease or possibly prevent the development of diabetes-related health problems.

YOU & YOUR PHILLIPS CLINIC PROVIDER CAN HELP MANAGE YOU DIABETES BY:

Planning what you eat and following a balanced meal plan.

Exercising regularly.

Taking medication(s) your provider prescribes and closely following the guidelines on how and when to take it.

Monitoring your blood glucose and blood pressure levels at home.

Keeping your appointments with your healthcare providers and having laboratory tests completed as ordered by your doctor.

What you do at home every day affects your blood glucose more than what your doctor can do every few months during your check-up.

If you’re diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you can monitor your blood sugar level several ways to evaluate how well your treatment plan is   working:

HbA1C-A1C 

or glycosylated hemoglobin test)

Your Phillips healthcare provider can regularly perform a test called HbA1c (A1C, or glycosylated hemoglobin test).

An A1C test provides a picture of your average blood sugar control for the past two to three months. Blood sugar is measured by the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) in your blood.

Home monitoring

Easy-to-use home monitors allow patients to test their blood sugar on their own. A variety of these devices are on the market.

If you’re managing diabetes with the help of a home monitor, be sure to consult with your doctor to learn what to do when your results are too high or low for you.