Diabetes ABCs

Posted: Nov. 1, 2004

If you have diabetes, you need to know the diabetes ABCs:

Manage your A1c (blood glucose or sugar), Blood pressure, and Cholesterol. This will help lower your chances of having a heart attack, a stroke or other diabetes problems.

A is for the A1c test.
It shows how well your blood glucose has been controlled over the last three months. It should be checked at least twice a year. The goal for most people is less than 7.
High blood glucose levels can harm your kidneys, feet, and eyes.

B is for blood pressure.
The goal for most people is 130/80.
High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard. It can cause heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.

C is for cholesterol.
The LDL goal for most people is less than 100.
Bad cholesterol, or LDL, can build up and clog your blood vessels. It can cause a heart attack or a stroke.

How is diabetes managed?
Diabetes is a self-managed disease because people with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care. Much of the daily care involves keeping blood glucose near normal levels at all times.

Management of type 1 diabetes: People with type 1 diabetes need daily injections of insulin because their bodies no longer produce insulin. Treatment requires a strict regimen that typically includes a carefully calculated diet, planned physical activity, self-testing of blood glucose, and multiple daily insulin injections.

Management of type 2 diabetes: Treatment for people with type 2 diabetes typically includes diet management, exercise, self-testing of blood glucose and, in some cases, oral medication and/or insulin. Approximately 40 percent of people with type 2 diabetes require insulin injections.

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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