Keep Your Diabetes Under Control

What are diabetes problems?

Too much glucose (sugar) in the blood for a long time can cause diabetes problems. This high blood glucose (also called blood sugar) can damage many parts of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys. Heart and blood vessel disease can lead to heart attacks and strokes. You can do a lot to prevent or slow down diabetes problems.
Be active to prevent diabetes problems.

Will I have diabetes problems?

Maybe. You may have one or more diabetes problems or none at all. It is hard to know if or when your diabetes will cause problems. If you get diabetes when you are young, you may not have diabetes problems for many years. If you find out you have diabetes as an adult, you may already have diabetes problems. Either way, keeping your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control can prevent diabetes problems.


How can I find out what my average blood glucose is?

Ask your health care provider for the A1C test. This blood test shows the average amount of glucose in your blood during the past 2 to 3 months. Have this test done at least twice a year. If your A1C result is not on target, your health care provider may do this test more often to see if your result is improving as your treatment changes. Your A1C result plus your blood glucose meter results can show whether your blood glucose is under control.

Aim for a result below 7 percent. If your A1C test result is below 7 percent, then your blood glucose is in a desirable range and your diabetes treatment plan is working. The lower your A1C is, the lower your chance of having health problems.

If your result is more than 8 percent, you may need a change in your diabetes plan. Your health care team can help you decide what part of your plan to change. You may need to change your meal plan, your diabetes medicines, or your physical activity plan.

What should my blood pressure be?

Normal blood pressure will help prevent damage to your eyes, kidneys, heart, and blood vessels. Blood pressure is written with two numbers separated by a slash. For example, 120/70 is said as “120 over 70.” The first number should be below 130 and the second number should be below 80. Keep your blood pressure as close to these numbers as you can. If you already have kidney disease, ask your doctor what numbers are best for you.

Meal planning, medicines, and physical activity can help you reach your blood pressure target.

What should my cholesterol be?

Normal cholesterol and blood fat levels will help prevent heart disease and stroke, the biggest health problems for people with diabetes. Keeping cholesterol levels under control can also help with blood flow. Have your blood fat levels checked at least once a year. Meal planning, physical activity, and medicines can help you reach your cholesterol targets:

Target Blood Fat Levels for People with Diabetes
Total cholesterol   under 200
LDL cholesterol   under 100
HDL cholesterol   above 40 (men, above 50 (women)
Triglycerides   under 150

What does smoking have to do with diabetes problems?
no smoking!

Smoking and diabetes are a dangerous combination. Smoking raises your risk for diabetes problems. If you quit smoking, you'll lower your risk for heart attack, stroke, nerve disease, and kidney disease. Your cholesterol and your blood pressure levels may improve. Your blood circulation will also improve.

If you smoke, ask your health care provider for help in quitting.

What else can I do to prevent diabetes problems?

There are other things that you can do either each day or one or more times a year to prevent diabetes problems. For example, to keep your feet healthy, check them each day. Ask your health care team whether you should take a low dose aspirin every day to lower your risk for heart disease. To keep your eyes healthy, visit an eye care professional once a year for a complete eye examination that includes using drops in your eyes to dilate the pupils.

Once a year, your urine should be tested for protein. At least once a year, your blood creatinine level should be checked. Also once a year, your health care provider should do a complete foot exam.

  

Diabetes Index
Diabetes
◦ What are the scope and impact of diabetes
◦ Types of Diabetes
◦ Diabetes - A Leading Cause of Death in America
◦ The Reality
◦ Who gets diabetes
◦ Keep Your Diabetes Under Control
◦ Low Blood Glucose
◦ Eating and Diabetes
◦ Gestational Diabetes
◦ Type 1 Diabetes
◦ Points to Remember
◦ How are diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnosed
◦ What is pre-diabetes
◦ What does having pre-diabetes mean
◦ Should I be tested for diabetes
◦ Preventing Diabetes Complications
◦ Diabetes Is Preventable and Controllable
Diabetes Type 2
◦ What is type 2 diabetes
◦ Type 2 Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes
◦ Type 2 Diabetes
◦ What factors increase my risk for type 2 diabetes
◦ What other factors increase my risk for type 2 diabetes
◦ What are the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes
◦ Can type 2 diabetes be prevented
Tips
◦ When You’re Sick
◦ Alcoholic Drinks
◦ Fat and Sweets
◦ What are healthy ways to eat meat or meat substitutes
◦ Milk
◦ Fruits
◦ Vegetables
◦ Starches
◦ Your Physical Activity Plan
◦ Be Physically Active Every Day
◦ Make Wise Food Choices Most of the Time
◦ Making Changes to Lower My Risk
◦ How can I reduce my risk
Medicine
◦ Do I need to take diabetes medicine?
◦ How is diabetes managed
◦ Random Plasma Glucose Test
◦ Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
◦ Fasting Plasma Glucose Test
◦ Take Your Prescribed Medications
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The information contained within this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any illness.
You are advised to seek professional medical advice when considering any form of alternative medicine or diet.