Living Well with Diabetes | Baylor Scott y White Heart and Vascular Hospital

Living Well with Diabetes

Baylor Scott y White Heart and Vascular Hospital

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Self-care gives you the power to manage diabetes and feel your best

Diabetes affects the ability of the body to lower blood sugar (glucose). This can lead to damage in many parts of the body, including blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and digestive system. Diabetes also increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and blindness. With proper management and self-care, people with diabetes can lead a healthy life.

Proper self-care, combined with your personal physician's treatment program, is the best way to protect your health. With self-care, you can manage your condition and improve your health; recognize symptoms and know when to get help; and limit the risk of future health problems.

Because you can't always feel if your blood sugar is too high or too low, daily monitoring is critical for diabetics

Daily blood sugar monitoring

Your physician or other healthcare provider can show you how and when to check your blood sugar
Make checking your blood sugar a part of your daily routine
Record the results in a log
Share the log with your healthcare provider

Long-range blood sugar monitoring

Long-range monitoring will tell you how well your treatment plan is working in the long term.

Make appointments for an A1c (also called HbA1c) test at least twice a year
The A1c shows what your average blood sugar levels have been for the past two to three months
In general, the goal is to have an A1c of less than 7%. If your result is greater, your treatment plan may be changed for better blood sugar control
An A1c of 7% corresponds to an average daily blood sugar level of about 155 mg/dL

Blood sugar goals for people with diabetes

As a diabetic your healthcare provider will help you understand your target ranges or healthy blood sugar goals

If your blood sugar gets too high, you can take steps to get it back into a healthy range.

Check your blood sugar level, as well as ketones, if directed
Drink plenty of sugar-free, caffeine-free liquids
Take extra insulin or medication if directed
Call your healthcare provider if your blood sugar and ketones don't return to the target range

Signs of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)

High levels of sugar in the urine
Frequent urination
Increased thirst
Fatigue
Vision problems
Difficulty concentrating
Dolor de cabeza
Hunger

Signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Shakiness
Dizziness
Sweating
Hunger
Difficulty paying attention
Confusion
Dolor de cabeza

If you have diabetes, medication or insulin injections may be prescribed to help lower blood sugar

Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. When the body can't make insulin or use the insulin it has, your blood sugar can get too high, a dangeous byproduct of diabetes.

Taking medication

Some medications help your body make more insulin. Other medications make the insulin in your body work better.

Taking insulin

If your body can't make insulin, it can be injected. Insulin can't be taken in pill form
Insulin injections can be made with a needle and syringe or with an insulin pen
Your healthcare provider will recommend the best method for you

Balancing food and blood sugar when you have diabetes

As a diabetic, you need to know which foods affect blood sugar. Just because you have diabetes doesn't mean you have to diet or give up tasty foods. It does mean learning how to balance food and blood sugar.

Carbohydrates (carbs)

Although carbs are part of a healthy diet, carbs also can raise your blood sugar
Carbs include sugars, starches and fiber
Sugars are in fruit, milk and honey. They are also added to foods like cereal, yogurt and desserts
Starches are in bread, cereals, pasta and dried beans. Corn, peas, potatoes, yams, acorn and butternut squash also are considered starchy vegetables

Fat and protein

Fat and protein don't have a significant effect on blood sugar, but they do affect your overall health
Choose heart-healthy unsaturated fats like fish,vegetable oil, avocados and some nuts, like walnuts and almonds
Limit unhealthy saturated fats like red meat, whole milk and palm oil
Choose lean, low-fat protein sources like dried beans and peas, nuts, tofu, fish, egg whites, skinless poultry and nonfat milk

Diabetes can change the nerves in your feet, so it can be difficult to feel injuries or sore spots

Diabetes also affects blood flow, making it harder for cuts and sores to heal.

Make a point to check your feet every day, so you can catch problems before they get worse. If you have trouble seeing the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or have someone help you. Examine the top, bottom and nails of each foot.

Look for changes in color
Look for any red spots or streaks
Look for skin changes, such as blisters, corns or calluses
Check for dry, cracked or scaly skin
Check for changes in feeling, such as numbness, tingling, coldness or burning

If you find a problem during a self-exam, call your physician immediately.

To help protect your feet:

Don't trim your corns, calluses or toenails
See a podiatrist (foot specialist) for regular foot care
Wash your feet with soap and water and dry them carefully, especially between your toes
Don't walk barefoot
Wear comfortable shoes
- Avoid high heels, tight work boots or shoes that are too tight and need to be broken in

Activity or exercise is an important part of managing your diabetes

If you're overweight, exercise can help you lose extra pounds, which helps the body use its own insulin better. Activity also can relieve stress and contribute to your well-being.

If your healthcare provider clears you to start an exercise program to help manage your diabetes:

Check your blood sugar before you exercise
Choose shoes that are right for the activity
Wear a medical ID that says you have diabetes
Be sure to stretch and warm up
Carry fast-acting glucose tablets
Exercise with a partner
Drink plenty of water
Be sure to cool down afterward

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