October News: Dangerous Diabetes

Diabetes Can Be Dangerous

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Take Aim for Better Health

Take Aim for Better Health.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

When you eat, your food is broken down into a sugar called glucose needed for energy. Your body makes insulin which unlocks cells so they can receive the glucose they need. With type 2 diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin or use it well. This means the glucose stays in your blood.

Having high blood glucose can cause problems like eye, kidney, nerve, and foot disorders. People with diabetes are also at higher risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, and other serious conditions

Diabetic senior woman measuring blood sugar level at home

There is no cure for diabetes but you can manage it.

Live Long And Healthy!

There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed. Balancing the food you eat with exercise and medicine (if prescribed) will help you control your weight and can keep your blood glucose in the healthy range.

Day-to-Day Care

Choosing what, how much, and when to eat and get active

You should change what you eat and how much you eat. Focus less on high-starch foods and eat more fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grains. Eating better combined with increased activity will encourage weight loss and lead to better blood sugar levels.

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Eating more fruits and vegetables can improve your blood sugar.

Checking blood glucose

Check your blood glucose as your doctor suggests. If you take insulin or some diabetes pills, check your blood glucose before exercising. If it is under 100 mg/dl, eat some fruit, crackers, or have a glass of milk or juice. Check it again after exercising to learn how your blood glucose reacts to exercise. Bring a snack if you’ll be out and moving for several hours

Taking Prescribed Medicine

Here are some tips to help you stay on track with your medicines that your doctor has prescribed. Keep an updated list of your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, dietary supplements including vitamins, and herbal remedies). Record important information about each medicine.

Man puts daily portion of vitamins, drug medicines, tablets, dietary supplements into pill organizer or plactic pillbox, close up, toned

Use a pill planner to help you remember to take your prescribed medicines.

  • Take all of your medicines exactly as prescribed.
  • Use one pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions if possible.
  • Keep medicines in a cool, dry place.
  • Use a pill organizer.
  • Use a reminder timer, an alarm clock, or your mobile phone alarm to remind you when to take medicine.
  • Link pill-taking to something in your daily routine (for example, take your medicine right after you brush your teeth).
  • Use a chart or dry erase board to keep track of your pill-taking.

Other Things You Can Do

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