What Do You Need To Know About Diabetes?
Did you know diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease? Ongoing high blood glucose (blood sugar) can damage your kidneys' blood vessels. To lower your risk, keep your blood sugar in a healthy range by eating well and maintaining a physical activity schedule that works for you.
Having diabetes means you have too much glucose, or sugar, in your bloodstream. Diabetes occurs when your body does not process glucose as it should, causing it to build up in your bloodstream. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. Only 5 percent of people with diabetes have Type 1. People who have Type 1 diabetes no longer produce the insulin they need to turn sugar, starches and other food into energy. They must use daily insulin therapy or a continuous insulin pump to help them manage their blood glucose.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. With Type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t properly use insulin. This is called insulin resistance. Over time, your body may not be able to produce enough insulin to control blood sugars.
What Can You Do To Keep Your Diabetes Under Control?
Take these steps to control your diabetes:
Monitor your blood glucose.
Manage stress.
Exercise.
Practice relaxation and breathing exercises.
Relax and communicate.
Think positively.
Don’t depend on alcohol, tobacco or other drugs to cope with stress.
Tackle the blues.
Eat smart.
Take medicines as directed.
Treat Type 1 diabetes.
Treat Type 2 diabetes.
Move more each day.
Don't Neglect Your Emotional Health
Follow these steps to take care of your emotional well-being:
Manage stress.
Exercise.
Practice relaxation and breathing exercises.
Relax and communicate.
Think positively.
Don’t depend on alcohol, tobacco or other drugs to cope with stress.
Tackle the blues.
Your Relationship With Your Health Care Team Is Important
The best thing you can do to improve your health and prevent complications is to develop a good relationship with your health care team and get regular, preventive care screenings.
- Why Are Screenings Important?
Regular appointments and screenings may help you manage and maintain your health. Preventive care can help you avoid serious health conditions or get early diagnoses and treatment. In most cases, the sooner your doctor can identify and treat a medical condition, the better the outcome.
- Adult Screenings
Recommended preventive care services for adults vary based on age, health history and other factors. They may include:
A yearly wellness exam that includes:
Weight assessment and nutrition counseling.
Depression screening.
Vital signs check to monitor blood pressure, heart rate and respiration rate.
Cholesterol screening every five years, beginning at age 40.
Heart and lung exam to help spot problems.
Diabetes screening beginning at age 40.
Colon cancer screening.
Vision and hearing checks every year.
Dental cleanings twice a year.
Age-appropriate vaccines and immunizations.
- Childhood Screenings
Recommended preventive care services for children vary by age. They may include:
An age-appropriate well-child exam.
Weight assessment and nutrition counseling.
Hearing, vision and other screening tests as part of some visits.
Fluoride application for children under age 6.
Age-appropriate vaccines and immunizations.
- Women's Health
Women have unique health care needs. To stay well, they should make regular screenings a priority. Routine health screenings women should consider include:
An annual well-woman visit.
A Pap test every three years through age 29, then every five years starting at age 30.
A mammogram. Discuss timing and frequency with your doctor.
An osteoporosis screening beginning at age 65 or age 60 if you have other risk factors.
- Men's Health
Men are encouraged to get a yearly wellness exam, even if they don’t have symptoms. They should engage in a healthy lifestyle and get recommended preventive care. This may include:
An abdominal aortic aneurysm screening once between ages 65 and 75 if you have ever smoked.
A prostate cancer screening. Discuss timing with your doctor.
- Make the Most of Your Doctor Visits
Keep communication open with your health care team. That helps you play an active role in your care. To help you make the most of your time with your doctor, make a list of questions you’d like to ask him or her in advance. Questions for your health care team may include these:
Should I test my blood sugar? How often?
What is my goal range? What should I do if it is too high or too low?
How can I use my glucose information to understand and manage my diabetes?
What diet and lifestyle changes should I make?
Do I need medicine? If so, do I need to take my medicine at a certain time of day?
Are there any side effects to my medicine? Is there anything I can do about them?
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These links lead to third-party websites. Those companies are solely responsible for the contents and privacy policies on their sites. The information contained in this brochure is for educational purposes only. It does not represent a standard of care. Your physician must determine the appropriateness of the information in light of all your circumstances. It is important to discuss options with your physician when deciding on the best treatment for you.