You Should Manage Your Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you have to manage and control it.

Having diabetes doesn't mean you can't eat your favorite foods. But you need to know how your food choices will affect your blood sugar. A diabetes educator or dietitian can help you learn skills -- such as counting carbs, reading food labels, and sizing up portions -- that will let you keep your diabetes in check while still enjoying your favorite meals.

Get in the habit of writing down your critical information. Record your daily blood sugar levels to track how food, activity, and medicines affect your blood sugar and A1c test results. A written record can show you and your doctor whether your diabetes treatment is working over the long term. Writing down your goals and feelings in a journal may also help you stay on track and better communicate with your health care providers.

You may take pills or injections to manage your diabetes. Try to keep 3 days' worth of your diabetes medicines and supplies on hand in case of an emergency, as well as a list of all your medicines. Your drugs may interact with other medicines, even ones that can be bought without a prescription. Make sure to tell your doctor before you take any new medicine. And always take your list to your regular doctor and dental appointments.

It may be hard to find time to exercise. It can also be hard to keep going if you're not used to exercising for 30 minutes straight. The good news is you can spread your 30 minutes throughout the day. Three 10-minute walks are as good as 30 minutes at once. So don't hold out to exercise when you have a lot of time. Moderate physical activity (both strength building and cardio) will help you control your blood sugar, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce stress.

Your doctor may say it's OK for you to have an occasional drink. Drink alcohol only when you can eat something along with it, because alcohol can cause low blood sugar. Also have some water handy in case you get thirsty. Even so, mixed drinks can raise your blood sugar if you use juice or a regular soda as your mixer. Women should drink no more than one alcoholic drink per day, and men no more than two a day.

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