Diabetes and Exercise If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, your doctor has probably already encouraged you to start a regular exercise routine. But it can be hard to know how and where to get started. Let’s start with the basics. Benefits of Exercise Exercise is important for everyone but becomes even more so if you have diabetes. Consistent exercise can lower blood sugar and improve A1C by helping your body more efficiently use insulin. And while it can help prevent or delay further complications from diabetes, it’s not all about your diabetes. Exercise has broader health

A1C Screening Why the A1C Test is Important The A1C is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past three months. When sugar enters your blood, it attaches to a protein in your red blood cells called hemoglobin. A1C tells us what percentage of your red blood cells have sugar attached to them. If you have diabetes, your doctor will likely recommend routine A1C screening. Complications from diabetes are linked to higher A1C levels, so it’s critical to work with your provider to reach and maintain your individual A1C goal. What to Expect with an A1C Test No preparation

Diabetic Foot Screening Why You Should Have Routine Foot Exams People with diabetes are at increased risk for a condition called neuropathy. Caused by high blood sugar, diabetic neuropathy damages the nerves, resulting in pain and numbness over time, most often in the legs and feet. When untreated or uncontrolled, diabetic neuropathy can lead to serious consequences, like amputation. But it can be prevented by managing your disease. A foot check at your annual wellness visit and a yearly visit with your podiatrist can help to identify problems early. Keeping your blood sugar in the target