13 Tips for Managing Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term (chronic) condition, but you can still lead a healthy and active lifestyle with the right steps – like making regular visits to your healthcare provider and creating daily routines. Below are some of the recommended exams and tests as well as everyday behaviors that can help keep you healthy and manage your diabetes.
Daily
1. Blood sugar checks
Remember that checking your blood sugar according to your doctor’s prescribed schedule is the primary tool you have to know if you are in the target range.
If blood sugar gets too low, we can temporarily lose the ability to think or function normally. If it is too high and stays that way, over time, it can cause complications and damage our body. If your blood sugar levels are routinely too high or too low, your healthcare provider may suggest changes to your diet or activity level. They may also adjust your medicine.
2. Taking medications
Whether you take insulin injections, pills, or both, doing so at the right times helps keep your blood sugar in check. Think about tools that will remind you to take your medicines the right way every day, such as an alert on your smartphone or a visual reminder placed near something you use each day. If you’re having difficulty remembering, talk to your healthcare provider or team.
3. Foot checks
Diabetes can cause blood vessels to narrow and harden, causing poor circulation that makes it more difficult for your foot to fight infection and heal. Check your feet every day for redness, blisters, cracks, dry skin, or numbness. Use a mirror to check the bottoms of your feet or ask for help. Call your healthcare provider right away if your feet are numb or painful or if a cut or sore doesn’t heal in a few days.
4. Physical activity
Being active is important to everyone, but it’s especially critical for managing your diabetes. In short, being active helps lower your blood sugar by making your body more sensitive to insulin, a hormone that allows cells in your body to use blood sugar for energy. It also naturally helps manage your weight. Ask your healthcare provider to help you build an activity program that's right for you, based on your age, general health, and types of activity you enjoy. Start slow but aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise or activity each week.
5. Healthy eating
A healthy diet is one of the most powerful tools available to manage your diabetes. Choosing the right foods for you can keep your blood sugar in check, maintain a healthy weight, and feel your best. And you don’t have to cut everything out to do so—healthy eating with diabetes is about finding balance. Your healthcare team can work alongside you to create a plan that doesn’t entail giving up all the foods you love. Have meals and snacks that include:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Lean meats or other healthy proteins
- Whole grains
- Low-fat or non-fat dairy products
6. Mental well-being
In addition to caring for your physical health, it’s also important to pay close attention to your mental health. Managing diabetes is a 24/7 job and can often lead to increased feelings of stress or depression. Tell your healthcare provider if you are having trouble coping with your diabetes. He or she can help or refer you to other providers or programs.
If you are in immediate risk of hurting yourself or someone else, get help now. Call or text 988 to talk to a trained crisis counselor.
Quarterly to Biannually
7. Doctor visit
Most people with diabetes need to see their doctor every 3-6 months. At those visits, your provider will perform a physical exam—which includes things like taking your vital signs and listening to your heart and lungs—review critical health markers, and discuss important aspects of your diabetes management, such as blood sugar control, medication adjustments, lifestyle habits, and screening for complications. These checkups may also include lab work to test your A1C, kidney function, and cholesterol levels. This is also a great time to talk about your mood and any mental health concerns, and healthy habits you’re working on.
8. A1C test
Your healthcare provider will check your hemoglobin A1C at least twice a year, but often it is done every 3 months. This blood test shows how often your blood sugars has been in your target range over the prior months. The results help you and your healthcare provider make adjustments to better manage your diabetes.
9. Dental exam
Everyone has bacteria in their mouth, but the difference with diabetes is if you are not meeting your blood sugar targets, your body’s inflammatory response to the bacteria is greater. This can cause complications and gum disease (also called periodontal disease). It’s important for everyone to visit the dentist every 6 months, but to help prevent these diabetes-related issues, it’s even more important for people with diabetes to stick to this schedule. Make sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes.
Annually
10. Eye exam
You may be experiencing problems with your eyes even if you don’t have trouble seeing. An eye healthcare provider (ophthalmologist) or specially trained optometrist will give you a dilated eye exam at least once a year. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you:
- See dark spots
- Don’t see well in dim light
- Have eye pain or pressure
- Have any other problems with your eyes
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults ages 18-64, but an eye exam can help identify issues early so you can take steps to delay or prevent permanent damage. This is an appointment not to skip.
11. Flu shot
People with diabetes are at an increased risk for flu complications, even if their diabetes is well managed. The flu vaccine has been shown to reduce your risk of getting sick with the flu and reduces your risk of hospitalization and other serious complications if you do become sick.
Talk to your healthcare provider about additional vaccines you may need such as COVID19, RSV, pneumonia, shingles, and hepatitis B.
12. Cholesterol test
Having diabetes can affect your cholesterol by causing your “good” cholesterol to go down and your “bad” cholesterol to go up. This in turn puts you at a greater risk for heart disease and stroke. A yearly cholesterol test is recommended but more frequent testing might be necessary if your cholesterol is high or you recently started taking a cholesterol medication. Your provider will include this test in your annual visit.
13. Kidney test
In some cases, diabetes can lead to kidney disease which is why it is important to have yearly kidney tests. These tests include a urine test to detect protein in your urine and a blood test to see how well your kidneys are functioning. This test will also be completed at your annual check-up.
Type 2 diabetes is a challenging condition, but you can keep your symptoms in check by sticking to a routine schedule both daily and throughout the year. Work with your healthcare provider to set up a care schedule or make a commitment to stick to your plan if you already have one. Looking for more tips and education? Click the button below to team up with a diabetes educator or join a support group.
Text for Tips
For more tips, reminders, and inspiration to help you better manage your diabetes, sign up for Text for Tips, our free, opt-in education and information text-based program for people with diabetes.