Managing diabetes means a longer, healthier and happier life!
What constitutes satisfactory diabetic control?
- A1c less than 7% in most adults
- A1c less than 8% in persons greater than 65 especially those with other advanced conditions like kidney, cardiovascular, visual, memory disorders
What your health professional does
- measure A1c two times a year when meeting diabetic goals
- measure A1c four times per year or quarterly when not meeting goals
- refers to a nutrition specialist at onset of care
- refers to an eye specialist at onset and every two years
- evaluates home blood glucose results at each visit
- evaluates kidney function annually or more often in poor control
- prescribes lisinopril or losartan to protect your kidneys
- prescribes a statin medication to improve cholesterol
- prescribes baby aspirin (81mg) one per day to prevent heart attack
- prescribes medications to control blood pressure at 140/90 or less
- performs foot exam quarterly
- performs foot monofilament test for neuropathy annually
- refers to podiatry as indicated
What you do
- follow the advice of your healthcare professional
- learn all you can about the management of diabetes
- achieve and maintain a body mass index of 30 or under
- body mass index is a measurement of height and weight
- check your BMI here: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
- perform home blood glucose (sugar) monitoring as recommended; track results
- exercise 30 or more minutes most days of the week
- perform flexibility, balance and resistance exercises 2 to 3 times per week
- avoid kidney toxic medications (ibuprofen, Naprosyn, Aleve, Advil, Motrin)
- ask your health professional if any prescribed medications can hurt your kidneys
- avoid carbohydrates (breads, cereals, cakes, cookies, granola, sugar, processed foods)
- eat fruits and vegetables
- follow a Mediterranean style diet
- report symptoms of possible complications (visual, heart, leg disorders) promptly
- STOP smoking
- moderate alcohol intake
- take medications as directed
This is Dr. Jim for Be Healthy! Be Happy! Power your path to happiness.
Reference: American Diabetes Association: Clinical Diabetes, 2018. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes for Primary Care Providers. Online [available at]: http://clinical.diabetesjournals.org/content/36/1/14 Accessed March 24,