While there is presently no cure for diabetes, our bodies respond well to effective management of the condition. It is important to realize this management becomes a part of our overall lifestyle. Experts say most people with diabetes should try to keep their blood glucose level as close as possible to the level of someone who doesn’t have diabetes. The closer to normal your blood glucose is, the lower your chances are of developing serious health problems. Check with your doctor about the right range for you. Your health care team will help you learn how to reach your target blood glucose range. Your team may include a doctor, a nurse, a dietitian, and others.

Meal Planning Is Vital in Managing Diabetes

You should have your own meal plan. Your diabetes meal plan will include breads, cereals, rice, and grains; fruits and vegetables; meat and meat substitutes; dairy products; and fats. People with diabetes don’t need to eat special foods. The foods on your meal plan are good for everyone in your family! Making wise food choices will help you

• reach and stay at a weight that’s good for your body
• keep your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control
• prevent heart and blood vessel disease
• Follow your meal plan.
• Don’t skip meals, especially if you take diabetes medicines, because your blood glucose may go too low. Eat several small meals during the day instead of one or two big meals.

Physical Activity Plays a Key Role in Diabetes Management

Physical activity helps you stay healthy. Try walking, swimming, dancing, riding a bicycle, playing baseball, or bowling. You can even get exercise when you clean your house or work in your yard. Physical activity is especially good for people with diabetes because it

• helps keep weight down
• helps insulin work better to lower blood glucose
• is good for your heart and lungs
• gives you more energy

Before you begin exercising, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may check your heart and your feet to be sure you have no special problems. If you have high blood pressure or eye problems, some exercises like weightlifting may not be safe. Your health care team can help you find safe exercises

Try to be active almost every day for a total of about 30 minutes. If you haven’t been very active lately, begin slowly. Start with 5 to 10 minutes, and then add more time. Or exercise for 10 minutes, three times a day.

If you use insulin or take diabetes pills that help your body make insulin, you may need to eat a snack before you exercise. Check your blood glucose before you exercise. If your blood glucose is below 100, have a snack before you exercise.

It Is Vital To Take Prescribed Medication Daily

Three kinds of diabetes medicines can help you reach your blood glucose targets: pills, insulin, and other injectable medicines.

Diabetes Pills

If your body makes insulin but the insulin doesn’t lower your blood glucose enough, you may need diabetes pills. Some pills are taken once a day, and others are taken more often. Ask your health care team when you should take your pills. Be sure to tell your doctor if your pills make you feel sick or if you have any other problems.

Sometimes, people who take diabetes pills may need insulin for a while. If you get sick or have surgery, the diabetes pills may no longer work to lower your blood glucose.

You may be able to stop taking diabetes pills if you lose weight. Always check with your doctor before you stop taking your diabetes pills. Losing 10 or 15 pounds can help you reach your target blood glucose levels.

Insulin

You need insulin if your body has stopped making insulin or if it doesn’t make enough. Everyone with type 1 diabetes needs insulin, and many people with type 2 diabetes do too. Some women with gestational diabetes also need to take insulin.

Your doctor can tell you which of these ways to take insulin is best for you.

• Taking shots, also called injections. You’ll use a needle attached to a syringe, a hollow tube with a plunger—that you fill with a dose of insulin. Some people use an insulin pen, a pen-like device with a needle and a cartridge of insulin.
• Using an insulin pump. A pump is a small device, worn on a belt or in a pocket, that holds insulin. The pump connects to a small plastic tube and a very small needle. The needle is inserted under the skin and stays in for several days.
• Using an insulin jet injector. This device sends a fine spray of insulin through the skin with high-pressure air instead of a needle.
• Using an insulin infuser. A small tube is inserted just beneath the skin and remains in place for several days. Insulin is injected into the end of the tube instead of through the skin.

Other Injectable Medications

Some people with diabetes use other injectable medicines to reach their blood glucose targets. These medicines are not substitutes for insulin.

Some People Do Not Need Medicine to Manage Diabetes

Many people with type 2 diabetes don’t need diabetes medicines. They can take care of their diabetes by using a meal plan and exercising regularly.

The Importance of Regular Testing

You’ll want to know how well you’re taking care of your diabetes. One way to find out is to check your blood to see how much glucose is in it. If your blood has too much or too little glucose, you may need a change in your meal plan, physical activity plan, or medicines.

Ask your doctor how often you should check your blood glucose. Some people check their blood glucose once a day. Others do it three or four times a day. You may check before and after eating, before bed, and sometimes in the middle of the night.

Your doctor or diabetes educator will show you how to check your blood using a blood glucose meter. Your health insurance or Medicare may pay for the supplies and equipment you need.

You may need to check your blood or urine for ketones if you’re sick or if your blood glucose is above 240. Your body makes ketones when you burn fat instead of glucose for energy. Ketones can make you very sick. If you have ketones, you are at risk for having a serious condition called ketoacidosis. If ketoacidosis isn’t treated, it can cause death. Signs of ketoacidosis are vomiting, weakness, fast breathing, and a sweet smell on the breath. Ketoacidosis is more likely to develop in people with type 1 diabetes. Your doctor or diabetes educator will show you how to test for ketones.

Another test for blood glucose, the A1C, also called the hemoglobin A1C test, shows what your average blood glucose was for the past 2 to 3 months. The doctor does this test to see what your blood glucose is most of the time. Have this test done at least twice a year.

Ask your doctor what your A1C test showed. A result of below 7 usually means that your diabetes treatment is working well and your blood glucose is under control. If your A1C is higher, your blood glucose may be too high. You’ll then have a greater risk of having diabetes problems, like kidney damage. You may need a change in your meal plan, physical activity plan, or diabetes medicines.

Talk with your doctor about what your target should be. Your personal target may be lower or higher than the target shown below. Even if your A1C is higher than your target, remember that every step toward your goal helps reduce your risk of diabetes problems.

By keeping daily records of your blood glucose checks, you can tell how well you’re taking care of your diabetes. Show your blood glucose records to your health care team. They can use your records to see whether you need changes in your diabetes medicines or your meal plan. If you don’t know what your results mean, ask your health care team.