Diabetes
Checklist
This
article is an excerpt from the book Living Well with Diabetes from the
Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Unlimited Diabetic Supplies and
shop4diabetics.com are publishing articles such as this as a health resource
for diabetics and to provide useful information on the self management of
diabetes. Topics ranging from medication and monitoring to exercise and nutrition
will be covered.
Unlimited
Diabetic Supplies is a Medicare Participating Provider of diabetic supplies
for Medicare and private insurance members. If you are a diabetic on Medicare
or have private insurance, please visit shop4diabetics and complete the enrollment form to
find out if you are eligible to receive no-cost diabetic supplies delivered
to your home. Shop4diabetics carries a full range of diabetic testing
supplies to help monitor your blood sugar. Arthritis heating pads and
impotence devices are also available at no cost to qualified Medicare and
private insurance members.
Here is a summary of the guidelines that will help you
manage your diabetes for a lifetime of good health.
- Plan
what you eat and follow a balanced meal plan. See your dietitian at least once every
one to two years.
- Exercise
at least three to four times a week for 20 to 40 minutes each session.
- Follow
your medication schedule as prescribed by your doctor.
- Know
what medications (brand and generic names) you are taking and how they
work.Always keep a list of your
medications with you.
- Test
your blood glucose regularly, as recommended by your health care
provider and more often when you’re sick.
- Try
to continuously keep your blood glucose level at the recommended
range.If your blood glucose is
less than 70 mg/dl and you have more than one unexplained low blood
glucose reaction a week, call your doctor. If your blood glucose is greater that
180 mg/dl for more than a week or if you have two consecutive readings
greater than 300 mg/dl, call your doctor.
- Test
your urine for ketones when your blood glucose
is over 300 mg/dl.Test your
urine more often when you’re sick.
- Record
your blood glucose and urine ketone test
results.Bring your log book with
you to all of your doctor’s visits.
- Keep
your appointments with your health care providers. See your doctor at least every three
to four months for regular check-ups if you are treated with
insulin.See your doctor every
four to six months if you are treated with other diabetes medications or
if you are managing diabetes with diet and exercise alone. More frequent visits may not be
necessary of your blood glucose is not controlled or if complications of
diabetes are progressing.Make
sure your health care provider checks your blood pressure and weight,
and examines your feet and insulin injection sites.
- Have
a glycosylated hemoglobin test (HbA1c) four
times a year or as recommended.
- Have
an eye exam (including a retinopathy screening test) and urinalysis test
once a year, or as recommended by your doctor.
- Have
your cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked (lipid profile test)
once a year.
- Have
a dental exam every six months.
- If
you have any signs of infection, call your doctor or health care
provider.
- Practice
good foot and skin care.
- DO
NOT SMOKE!
- Try
to manage stress as best as you can. Attend a stress management workshop to help you learn better
coping methods.
- Discuss
travel plans with your doctor, and make sure to bring enough medication
and supplies with you on your trip.
- Continue
learning about your diabetes to maintain and improve your health. Attend a diabetes class or schedule
visits with your diabetes educator at least once a year.
