Management

There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be treated and controlled. The goals of managing diabetes are to:

1. Keep your blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible by balancing food intake with medication and activity.
2. Maintain your blood cholesterol and triglyceride (lipid) levels as near the normal ranges as possible by decreasing the total amount of fat to 30% or less of your total daily calories and by reducing saturated fat and cholesterol.
3. Control your blood pressure. (Your blood pressure should not go over 130/80.)
4. Decrease or possibly prevent the development of diabetes-related health problems.

You hold the keys to managing your diabetes by:

• Planning what you eat and following a balanced meal plan
• Exercising regularly
• Taking medication, if prescribed, and closely following the guidelines on how and when to take it
• Monitoring your blood glucose and blood pressure levels at home
• Keeping your appointments with your health care providers and having laboratory tests completed as ordered by your doctor.

What you do at home every day affects your blood glucose more than what your doctor can do every few months during your check-ups.

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