What is Controlled Diabetes?

It is important to control diabetes to lower your chances of getting heart disease, stroke, eye disease that can lead to blindness, nerve damage that can cause a loss of feeling or pain in the hands, feet, legs, or other parts of the body that might lead to lower limb amputation or erectile dysfunction, kidney failure or gum disease and loss of teeth.

• Learn about diabetes: Diabetes means that your blood glucose is too high. There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is when the body doesn't make insulin. Insulin has to be taken everyday. Insulin helps the body use glucose from food for engery. The second type of diabetes, type 2 diabetes, is when the body doesn't make or use insulin well. Diabetes pills or insulin have to be taken. It is the most common form of diabetes. Gestational diabetes happens in some women when they become pregnant. It raises her risks of developing diabetes. It might raise her child's risk of becoming overweight and developing type 2 diabetes.


• Know your diabetes ABCs: Talk to your health care provider to learn how to manage your A1C (blood gluclose), the goal number is below seven for most people; blood pressure, the goal for most people is 130/80 and cholesterol. The LDL goal for both men and women is below 100, and the HDL goal for men is 40 and 50 for women with diabetes. This helps lower your chances of having a heart attack, a stroke or other diabetes problems. Ask your health care providers for your numbers and write them down.


• Manage your diabetes: Work with your health care providers to reach your ABC goals. Follow your diabetes meal plan. Eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meats, chicken or turkey without the skin, dry peas or beans, whole grains and low-fat milk and cheese. Broil, bake, or grill three ounces of fish, poulltry and lean meat. Use less salt and eat more fiber. Get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Stay at a healthy weight. Cope with stress.


• Get routine care to avoid problems: See your health care provider every six months to find and treat any problems. Talk about goals and how to achieve them.