Veterans With Diabetes International

Diabetes: Managing Your Diabetes

Here are some tips to help you manage diabetes and avoid serious complications related to your disease.

Lifestyle Tips

Eat a balanced diet. Seeing a dietitian every one to two years can be helpful. They, along with your diabetes heath care team, will help you plan a diet that is right for you.

Exercise at least three to four times a week for 20 to 40 minutes each session. A regular exercise program can improve blood sugars, decrease the risk of heart disease and help you lose weight. Talk to your health care provider before starting any exercise program. He or she may want to do a few tests prior to you starting a program. If you have complications relating to your diabetes like neuropathy or retinopathy there are certain types of exercise that you should avoid. Tell your doctor what kind of exercise you want to do so adjustments can be made to your medicine schedule or meal plan. Remember it is important to check your sugars prior to vigorous exercise.

Get plenty of sleep. Keeping a regular schedule and getting enough sleep will help you keep your blood glucose levels in good control.

If you smoke, quit.

Manage stress as best you can. Consider a stress management workshop to help you learn better coping methods.

Practice good foot and skin care. Check your feet daily for calluses, cracks or skin breakdown. If you notice redness, ulcerations, pus or a foul smelling drainage from your feet or if you notice that any of the toes have turned black and cold, notify your doctor immediately. Also, tell your doctor if you have any swelling in your ankles or feet.

Report signs of infection to your doctor. If you have any signs of infection -- redness in areas of the skin, fevers, vomiting, etc., call your doctor or health care provider immediately.

Discuss sexual problems with your doctor.

Stay knowledgeable about diabetes. Continue learning about diabetes to maintain and improve your health. Attend a diabetes class or schedule visits with your diabetes educator at least once a year.
Medication Guidelines

Follow a medicine schedule as prescribed by your health care provider.

Know your medicines (brand and generic names) you are taking and how they work. Keep a list of your medicines with you at all times. When travelling, make sure to bring enough medicine and supplies with you on your trip. Keep medicines, syringes, and blood glucose testing supplies in your carry-on bag. Do not check these supplies in case your luggage is lost. Bring copies of your prescriptions and consider getting a medical alert bracelet.

Glucose Control Guidelines

Maintain normal blood glucose. Test your blood glucose regularly as recommended by your health care provider. Test your blood glucose more often when you are sick. Keep your blood glucose level at the range recommended by your health care provider at all times. Call your doctor if your numbers fall below or above what is recommended.

Record your blood glucose results in a record-keeping log. Bring your logbook with you to all of your doctor's visits.
Screening Tips

Keep your scheduled appointments with your health care providers. Many of you doctors will want to see you every 3 months. You may need to be seen more often if your blood glucose levels are not controlled or if you are having problems with your medicine. People whose diabetes is under good control or who do not need medicines for their diabetes may be able to see their doctor less frequently.

Have a glycated hemoglobin blood test (HbA1c) every 3 months, or as recommended by your health care provider. Keeping this below 7% protects you from the complications of diabetes.

Check your blood pressure regularly

Have an eye exam once a year, or more frequently, as recommended by your eye doctor. Make an appointment with your eye doctor sooner if you have blurred vision in one eye or are having "blind" spots in your vision.

Check for microalbumin every year or as recommended by your doctor. This test measures the 'health' of your kidneys, heart, and blood vessels.

Check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels (lipid profile test) once a year or as recommended by your doctor.

Have a dental exam every six months.

View the full table of contents for the Diabetes Guide.

Reviewed by Certified Diabetes Educators in the Department of Patient Education and Health Information and by physicians in the Department of Endocrinology at The Cleveland Clinic.

Edited by Brunilda Nazrio, MD, WebMD, October 2004.

Portions of this page The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2005