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Healthy Living with Diabetes
Healthy Living with Diabetes provides you with important information about diabetes, how to work with your provider, and advice to help manage your diabetes.
Your Healthfirst NJ Primary Care Provider (PCP) can help you with monitoring and tracking changes to your health.
What does having diabetes mean?
Diabetes means that your blood glucose (sugar) is too high because your body can not produce or properly use insulin. Glucose comes from the food we eat. An organ called the pancreas (PAN-kree-as) makes insulin (IN-suh-lin). Insulin helps glucose get from your blood into your cells. Cells take the glucose and turn it into energy.
The ABC’s of diabetes stand for:
A1C
The hemoglobin A1C (A-one-C) test measures your average blood glucose over the last 3 months. The A1C goal for most people is below 7.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard. Maintaining a blood pressure target below 130/80 will help keep your heart healthy longer.
Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL is also called the bad type of cholesterol) in large amounts can build up and clog your blood vessels. Maintaining your LDL cholesterol below 100 will help to manage diabetes and keep your heart healthy longer.
What types of diabetes can affect me or a family member?
Diabetes can occur in three ways, including:
- Type 1 diabetes – Means that the pancreas does not make insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin everyday. Type 1 is also called “insulin-dependent” diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes – Means the body does not make enough insulin or use it very well resulting in glucose building-up in your blood and not getting into your cells. If the blood glucose stays too high, it can damage your body. Adults most often get type 2 diabetes.
- Gestational (jes-TAY-shon-al) diabetes – Occurs when a woman is pregnant. It raises her risk of getting diabetes for the rest of her life and her child is at risk for being overweight and getting diabetes.
What are the health risks of having diabetes?
High blood pressure and high cholesterol along with diabetes increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. Other complications of diabetes include, blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage (nephropathy). The good news is that by seeing your health care provider regularly and managing your diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol, the risk can be decreased.
What steps can I take to lower my risk of heart disease and other diabetes problems?
- Know your ABC’s – Work with your PCP to learn how and when to test your blood glucose and use the results to manage your diabetes.
- Ask your PCP for a diabetes meal plan – It will help you choose healthy food options. Healthy meal options include foods low in fat and salt and high in fiber like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans.
- Stay at a healthy weight – Set a goal to get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity on most days. Simple activity, such as a brisk walk, will help monitor your weight and diabetes. Consult with your provider before starting an exercise plan.
- Stop smoking! – Ask your provider for help.
- Continue to take your medications – Even when you feel good.
- Ask your doctor about taking aspirin.
- Check your feet every day – Call your PCP if a cut, sore, blister, or bruise on your feet or toes does not begin to heal or improve after one day.
- Brush your teeth and floss daily – This way you will avoid problems with your mouth, teeth, or gums.
- Report changes in your eyesight to your PCP.
- Seek help – From a friend, support group, clergy, or family member if you feel down.
What can affect my blood glucose levels?
| Things that make blood glucose too HIGH: | Things that make blood glucose too LOW: |
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