Follow these important tips to understand your diabetes treatment plan and stay on track with diabetes management.

·      How to manage our ABCs?

A: Go for regular A1C test to measure your average blood sugar over 2 to 3 months. Know your A1C results and understand what your results indicate: Normal: below 5.7% Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4% Diabetes: 6.5% or above. Discuss with your health care professional what your goal should be.

B: Try to keep your blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg or the target the range your doctor sets.

C: Control your cholesterol levels and keep close to your target range.

 S: Stop smoking or do not start.

Keeping your ABC numbers close to target levels can lower your risk of long-term health problems. Your health care professional can help you set personal targets.

·      How do we know if our medicines are working?

    If your ABC numbers close to or at your target levels, then meet, then your medicines and efforts are working. Continue your medications

    If your ABC numbers not close to or at your target levels, then meet with your health care professional to see if your treatment plan needs to be changed. Be sure to take all of your prescription and over-the-counter medicines and blood sugar records when you meet with your care professional.

·      When and where can we learn more about managing diabetes?

When:

The best times to have diabetes education and information to manage diabetes is when you notice some diabetes signs/symptoms or when you are first diagnosed.

Symptoms of Diabetes

• Once a year when you review your educational, nutritional, and emotional needs with your health care professional.
• When you experience new complications such as changes in your physical or emotional health or financial needs.
• During changes in your care such as changes to your health care professional, treatment plan, or living situation.

Where

• Local diabetes education programs.
• Diabetes information sites.
• Local diabetes support groups. Request your health care professional for commendations.

·      Is it necessary to get vaccines?

Being vaccinated is an important part of staying healthy, especially when you have diabetes because people with diabetes have a higher risk of serious health problems.

·      How often we see our health care professional?

• See your regular health care professional twice a year or more.
• See an eye, foot, and dentist once a year or more if needed.

Regular health care visits help you stay healthy, especially when you have diabetes.

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