What Should I Do If I Am Diagnosed with Diabetes?

So, you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes. The good news is you can take steps to manage the disease and enable you to live a long and healthy life.

1. Manage your diabetes ABCs

A is for the A1C test, which shows your average blood glucose level over the past 3 months. For many people with diabetes, the A1C goal is below 7 percent. Ask your doctor what your goal should be.

B is for Blood pressure. The blood pressure goal for most people with diabetes is below 140/90 mm Hg.

C is for Cholesterol. There are two kinds of cholesterol in your blood. LDL or “bad” cholesterol can build up and block your arteries, causing a heart attack or stroke. HDL or “good” cholesterol helps remove the “bad” cholesterol from your arteries. Ask your doctor what your cholesterol numbers should be. If you are over 40 years of age, your doctor may recommend a statin or other cholesterol-lowering drugs.

S is for Stop smoking. Not smoking is especially important for people with diabetes because both smoking and diabetes narrow blood vessels. This increases your risk for heart attack, stroke, nerve disease, kidney disease, diabetic eye disease, and amputation.

2. Follow your diabetes meal plan to help you manage your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

3. Make physical activity part of your daily routine. Aim for 30 minutes or more of physical activity on most days of the week.

4. Take your maintenance medications for diabetes and any other health problems, even when you feel good or have reached your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol goals. These medicines help you manage your ABCs.

5. Check your blood glucose levels, especially if you take insulin. The results of blood glucose monitoring can help you make decisions about food, physical activity, and medicines.

Consult your doctor for more information on how to manage diabetes and prevent its complications.

Shop for your wide range of vitamins, supplements, and other essential healthcare needs. Ask your Watsons pharmacist for prescription medications and Diabetes needs available only in Watsons.

Reference:
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/managing-diabetes. Accessed 5 November 2022