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HAP Diabetes Care

Managing Your Diabetes

Just remember that you don’t have to manage your diabetes by yourself.  You have a health care team who can help you. HAP is part of that team, and we hope you will consider creating a self-care plan to keep your diabetes under control.

How do you create a diabetes self-care plan?

In some ways, it’s as easy as A-B-C!

A1C test

Take an A1C test to learn what your average glucose level is. An A1C test shows your average blood glucose level over the past three months. The goal is for your A1C to be less than 7 percent.

Blood pressure

Take your blood pressure (BP). For those with diabetes, the goal is for your BP to be below 140/90mm.

Cholesterol

Check your cholesterol levels. There is good and bad cholesterol. Ask your health care provider what your cholesterol numbers should be.

Other ways to build your self-care plan

  • Don’t smoke. Smoking narrows blood vessels as does diabetes itself. With narrower blood vessels, your heart has to work harder. E-cigarettes are not good for diabetes either.
  • Make a healthy meal plan. Sometimes your health care team will include a dietician who can help you choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meats, and dairy products that are healthier for you. One simple task is to drink water instead of sugary drinks.
  • Be physically active daily, as much as possible. Spending up to 30 minutes each day doing some sort of physical activity can help you maintain your weight even if it’s only a brisk walk. Every extra minute of daily physical activity helps. Start where you can and increase your activity as much as you can.
  • Take all your prescribed meds. This may seem simple, but people can forget to take their medications, especially when they are feeling good. Your medications, including those for diabetes, are designed to help you keep track of your A – B – C’s (A1c levels, blood pressure and cholesterol).
  • Check your blood glucose levels based on your doctor’s recommendation. Monitoring blood glucose levels regularly is important especially if you take insulin. Knowing your blood sugar will help you make smart daily decisions about what to eat and keeping yourself physically active.

Other ways to build your self-care plan

  • Don’t smoke. Smoking narrows blood vessels as does diabetes itself. With narrower blood vessels, your heart has to work harder. E-cigarettes are not good for diabetes either.
  • Make a healthy meal plan. Sometimes your health care team will include a dietician who can help you choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meats, and dairy products that are healthier for you. One simple task is to drink water instead of sugary drinks.
  • Be physically active daily, as much as possible. Spending up to 30 minutes each day doing some sort of physical activity can help you maintain your weight even if it’s only a brisk walk.Every extra minute of daily physical activity helps. Start where you can and increase your activity as much as you can.
  • Take all your prescribed meds. This may seem simple, but people can forget to take their medications, especially when they are feeling good. Your medications, including those for diabetes, are designed to help you keep track of your A – B – C’s (A1c levels, blood pressure and cholesterol).
  • Check your blood glucose levels based on your doctor’s recommendation. Monitoring blood glucose levels regularly is important especially if you take insulin. Knowing your blood sugar will help you make smart daily decisions about what to eat and keeping yourself physically active.

What happens if my blood glucose level becomes too low?

For most people with diabetes, blood glucose levels are too low when it is below 70 mg/dL. The condition that can result is known as hypoglycemia and it can be serious or even life threatening. Once again, this is why managing your diabetes is so important.

What happens if my blood glucose level becomes too high?

Some of the symptoms for what doctors call “high blood glucose hyperglycemia” are headaches, feeling thirsty or tired, going to the bathroom often and blurred vision. If this happens, check in with your health care team right away. You may need to adjust your diet, your physical activity, or the medications you are taking.

A Few More Points about Working with Your Health Team

If you have diabetes, you should see your Primary Care Physician (PCP) regularly, even if you are feeling well. Your health care team can be made up of several professionals.  In addition to your PCP, you may work with a registered dietitian, a nurse, a certified diabetes educator, a pharmacist, an ophthalmologist, or a dentist. See your dentist every 6 to 12 months. You should tell your dentist if you are diabetic.

Eye exams are also important if you have diabetes. Eye exams help find glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye conditions.

Since people with diabetes are more prone to infections, you should also have an annual flu shot and strongly consider getting a pneumonia vaccine.  Talk to your doctor about important preventive services to keep yourself healthy as you manage your diabetes.