NDEP | Four Steps to Control Your Diabetes for Life

If you have just found out that you have diabetes you may be upset and need some help. Even if you have lived with diabetes for a while you may want to do more to take care of yourself.

Here are four key steps to help you control your diabetes and live a long and active life.

1. Learn about diabetes.

2. Know your diabetes ABCs.

3. Manage your diabetes.

4. Get routine care to avoid problems.

Diabetes is a serious disease. It affects almost every part of the body. That is why a team of people may help you take care of your diabetes:

doctors
diabetes educators
nurses
dietitians
eye and foot doctors
pharmacists
dentists
mental health and social workers
your friends and family

» Talk to your health care team about your special needs.

» Work with your team to manage your diabetes.

The » marks show actions you could take.

About Diabetes

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes Control

Diabetes Prevention

Resources on Children and Adolescents

More Diabetes Resources

Diabetes Organizations

Step 1: Learn about diabetes. ^ top

There are two main types of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes - the body does not make insulin. People with type
1 need to take insulin every day.

Type 2 diabetes - the body does not make or use insulin well. People
with type 2 often need to take pills or insulin. Type 2 is the most
common form of diabetes.

All people with diabetes need to eat healthy foods, stay at a healthy
weight, and be active every day.

Diabetes is a serious disease.
Terms such as "a touch of diabetes" or "your sugar is a little high" suggest that diabetes is not a serious disease. That is not correct and these terms should not be used.

Taking good care of diabetes will help you feel better and avoid the health problems diabetes can cause such as:

heart disease and stroke.
eye disease that can lead to vision problems or even going blind.
nerve damage that can cause your hands and feet to feel numb. This can lead to loss of a foot or a leg.
kidney problems.
gum disease and loss of teeth.

When your diabetes is in good control, you are more likely to feel better and

be less tired and thirsty and urinate less often.
heal better and have fewer gum, skin, or bladder infections.
be less likely to have blurry vision or numb hands or feet.

Some people are more likely to get diabetes.
Some people may have a higher chance of getting diabetes. They should ask their doctor if they need to be tested for diabetes.

These include people who

are ages 45 and older
are overweight
are African American, Hispanic/Latino American, Asian American or Pacific Islander, or American Indian
have a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
have high blood pressure (above 140/90)
have low HDL (good cholesterol) and high levels of blood fats
have had diabetes when pregnant or gave birth to a large baby (over 9 pounds)
are active less than three times a week

» Ask your health care team what type of diabetes you have.

» Know why diabetes is serious.

» Know who is more likely to get diabetes.

» Ask if you should be tested for diabetes if you think you are at risk.

For more information:

Diabetes Overview Fact Sheet Print version (PDF* 44k)

Your Guide to Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2

Diabetes Dictionary

Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? Print version (PDF* 192k)

Are You at Risk for Gestational Diabetes?

Step 2: Know your diabetes ABCs. ^ top

Manage your A1C (blood glucose or sugar), Blood pressure, and Cholesterol. This will help lower your chances of having a heart attack, a stroke, or other diabetes problems. These are called the ABCs of diabetes.

A is for the A1C test.
It shows how well your blood glucose has been controlled over the last 3 months. It should be checked at least twice a year. The goal for most people is less than 7.

High blood glucose levels can harm your kidneys, feet, and eyes.

B is for blood pressure.
The goal for most people is 130/80.

High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard. It can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.

C is for cholesterol.
The LDL goal for most people is less than 100.

Bad cholesterol, or LDL, can build up and clog your blood vessels. It can cause a heart attack or a stroke.

» Ask your health care team:

What are my A1C (blood glucose), Blood pressure, and Cholesterol numbers?
What should my ABC numbers be?

» Use this record card to write down your numbers.

For more information:

Be Smart About Your Heart Print version (PDF* 264k)

Si Tiene Diabetes, Cuide Su Corazón Print version (PDF* 204k)

Take Care of Your Heart (for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders)

Diabetes and CVD Fact Sheet Print version (PDF* 188k)

If You Have Diabetes, Know Your Blood Sugar Numbers Print version (PDF* 508k)

Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands Print version (PDF* 484k)

Step 3: Manage your diabetes. ^ top

Many people avoid the long-term problems of diabetes by taking good care of themselves and the ABCs of diabetes. Work with your health care team, friends, and family to make healthy lifestyle choices and reach your ABC goals.

Follow your diabetes food plan. If you do not have one, ask your health care team about it.
Eat the right portions of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables (5 to 9 servings a day), fish, lean meats, dry beans, whole grains, and low-fat or skim milk and cheese.
Eat foods that have less salt and fat.
Get 30 to 60 minutes of activity on most days of the week.
Stay at a healthy weight - by being active and eating the right amounts of healthy foods.
Stop smoking - seek help to quit.
Take medicines the way your doctor tells you. Ask if you need aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke.
Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling. Call your health care team right away about any sores that won't heal.
Brush your teeth and floss every day to avoid problems with your mouth, teeth, or gums.
Check your blood glucose the way your doctor tells you to.

» Work with your health care team to manage your diabetes and stay healthy.

» If you have Medicare Part B, ask your health care team how to get some of the cost paid for

learning about diabetes self-care.
special shoes, if you need them.

For more information:

Tips for Feeling Better and Staying Healthy Print version (PDF* 64k)

What I Need to Know About Eating and Diabetes

Recipe and Meal Planner

Walking: A Step in the Right Direction

Tips for Helping a Person with Diabetes Print version (PDF* 192k)

Medicines for People with Diabetes

Step 4: Get routine care to avoid problems. ^ top

See your health care team at least twice a year to find and treat problems early. Follow this plan.

At each visit get a:

Blood pressure check - if over 130/80, ask what steps to take to reach your goal
Weight check
Foot check

Two times each year get:

A1C check - check more often if over 7
Dental exams to prevent gum disease and loss of teeth. Tell your dentist you have diabetes.

Once each year get a:

Cholesterol check - if LDL over 100, ask what steps to take to reach your goal
Dilated eye exam to check for eye problems
Complete foot exam to check on foot health
Urine and blood tests to check for kidney problems
Flu shot

At least once get a:

Pneumonia shot

» Ask your team about these and other tests you may need.

» Use the card at the back of this booklet to keep a record of your diabetes care.

For more information:

Take Care of Your Feet for a Lifetime

Prevent Diabetes Problems Series

Diabetic Eye Diseases

Financial Help for Diabetes Care

Where to get help: ^ top

American Association of Diabetes Educators
1-800-TEAM-UP4 (800-832-6874)
www.diabeteseducator.org

American Diabetes Association
1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383)
www.diabetes.org

American Dietetic Association
1-800-366-1655 (in English and Spanish)
www.eatright.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1-877-232-3422
www.cdc.gov/diabetes

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
1-800-MEDICARE or (800-633-4227)
www.medicare.gov/health/diabetes.asp

National Diabetes Education Program
1-800-438-5383
www.ndep.nih.gov

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
1-800-860-8747 (in English and Spanish)
www.niddk.nih.gov

The National Diabetes Education Program is a joint program of the
National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.ndep.nih.gov
1-800-438-5383

My Diabetes Care Record ^ top

A1C - At least twice each year Usual goal: less than 7
Date:
Result:
BLOOD PRESSURE (BP) - Each visit Usual goal: less than 130/80
Date:
Result:
CHOLESTEROL (LDL) - Once each year Usual goal: less than 100
Date:
Result:
WEIGHT - Each visit My Goal: _______
Date:
Result:

Diabetes Care	Date	Result
Each visit
Foot check
Weight check
Twice each year
Dental exam
Once each year
Dilated eye exam
Complete foot exam
Kidney check
Flu shot
At least once
Pneumonia shot

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