November is Diabetes Awareness Month
by Phillips Clinic on 10/30/24
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 do when your results are too high or low for you.
Tests to Measure Heart Health
People with diabetes are at increased risk for a range of health complications, including cardiovascular disease.
Non-Invasive Tests Available at Phillips Clinic Family Wellness
Electrocardiogram ("EKG" or "ECG"):
This test measures the electrical activity of the heart. The heart beats because an electrical impulse (or "wave") travels through it. This wave causes the muscle to squeeze and pump blood from the heart into the arteries. .
Echocardiogram ("echo"): This safe and painless ultrasound test uses sound waves to examine the heart's structure and motion. During this test, a technician moves a device over the chest. The device emits a silent sound wave that bounces off the heart, creating images of its chambers and valves. The echo can tell the doctor how thick the heart muscle is and how well the heart pumps.
Exercise stress test ("treadmill test" or "exercise test"): This type of test helps determine how well your heart handles work. As your body works harder during the test, it requires more oxygen, so your heart must pump more blood. The test can show if the blood supply is reduced in the arteries that supply the heart. It also helps doctors know the kind and level of physical activity appropriate for each patient
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