Four Steps To Controlling Your Diabetes: Step 4

Get Routine Care
 See your healthcare team at least twice a year to find and treat any problems early.
At each visit make sure you have a:

• Blood pressure check
• Foot check
• Weight check
• Review of your self-care plan

Two times a year have an:

• A1C test. It may be checked more often if it is over 7.

Once a year be sure you have a:

• Cholesterol check
• Triglyceride test
• Complete foot exam
• Dental exam to check teeth and gums- tell your dentist you have diabetes.
• Dilated eye exam to check for eye problems
• Flu shot
• Urine and blood test to check for kidney problems.

At least once get a :

• Flu shot. 

If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Bristol office to make an appointment.
Richard E. Ehle, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Care in CT
Podiatrist in Bristol, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

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Four Steps To Controlling Your Diabetes: Step 3

Managing Your Diabetes
Follow this self-care plan:

• Follow your diabetes meal plan. Eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, chicken or turkey without the skin, dry peas or beans, whole grains, and low-fat or skim milk and cheese. Keep fish and meat portions to about 3 ounces. Bake, grill, or broil your meat. Eat foods that have less fat and salt. Eat foods with more fiber, such as whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta. 
• Get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. 
• Stay at a healthy weight by using your meal plan and moving more.
• Ask for help if you feel down. Talk to someone who will listen- a counselor, a preacher, a friend or family member, or support group. 
• Learn to cope with your stress, which will raise your blood glucose level. 
• Stop smoking.
• Take your medicine even when you feel good. 
• Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling. Call a podiatrist right away if you find any sores that do not go away. 
• Brush your teeth and floss every day to avoid problems with your mouth, teeth, or gums. 
• Check your blood glucose. You may want to test it one or more times a day. 
• Check your blood pressure. 
• Report any changes in your eyesight. 

If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Bristol office to make an appointment.
Richard E. Ehle, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Care in CT
Podiatrist in Bristol, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

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• 12 Ways To Never Get Diabetes: Part 1

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• 12 Ways to Never Get Diabetes: Part 2

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• Vitamin Supplements Every Diabetic Needs

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Four Steps To Controlling Your Diabetes: Part 2

Know Your Diabetic ABCs
Knowing how to manage your ABCs will help lower your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes problems.
A for the A1C test 
This test shows what your blood glucose has been over the last three months. The A1C goal for many people is below 7. High blood glucose can harm your heart and blood vessels, kidneys, feet, and eyes.
B for Blood Pressure
The goal for most people with diabetes is below 130/80. High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard. It can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
C is for Cholesterol
The LDL goal for people with diabetes is below 100.
The HDL goal for people with diabetes is above 40.
The HDL goal for women with diabetes is about 50.
LDL, or "bad" cholesterol can build up and clog your blood vessels, and can cause a heart attack or stroke. HDL or good cholesterol helps remove cholesterol from your blood vessels.  
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Bristol office to make an appointment.
Richard E. Ehle, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Care in CT
Podiatrist in Bristol, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Related articles

• 12 Ways To Never Get Diabetes: Part 1

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• Vitamin Supplements Every Diabetic Needs

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• 12 Ways to Never Get Diabetes: Part 2

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Four Steps To Controlling Your Diabetes: Step 1

Learn About Diabetes
Diabetes means that your blood sugar is too high. There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes: The body does not make insulin. Insulin helps the body use glucose from food for energy. People with Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin everyday.
Type 2 Diabetes: The body does not make or use insulin well. People with Type 2 often need to take pills or insulin. Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes: Some women when they are pregnant develop diabetes. This raises her future chance of getting diabetes, mostly Type 2 diabetes, as well as raising the child's risk of being overweight and their chance of getting diabetes.
People may joke that they have a "touch of diabetes" or that their sugar is a "little high", but they are suggesting this is not a serious disease. Diabetes and its complications can kill you if you do not take proper care of yourself. By making healthy food choices, stay at a healthy weight, and exercise regularly, you can avoid some of the complications so many diabetics get. Common complications are:

• Heart attack and stroke
• Eye problems
• Nerve damage
• Kidney problem
• Gum disease and loss of teeth
• Foot complications and amputation

When your blood sugar is close to normal, you are likely to:

• Have more energy
• Be less thirsty, tired, and urinate less often.
• Heal better and have fewer skin or bladder infections. 
• Have fewer problems with your eyesight, feet and gums.

Next post: Part 2: Know Your Diabetes ABCs.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Bristol office to make an appointment.
Richard E. Ehle, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Care in CT
Podiatrist in Bristol, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

Related articles

• 12 Ways To Never Get Diabetes: Part 1

  ---

• 12 Ways to Never Get Diabetes: Part 2

  ---