DIABETES
Management
Having diabetes need not mean the end of a normal, healthy life. The goal of diabetes management is to bring blood glucose levels into the normal range, that is, between 4-7 mmol/L (when fasting) and 5-10 mmol/L (after meals), as well as control you HbA1c levels.4 There are various aspects to good diabetes management.
Considerations:
- Make healthy lifestyle choices3
Changing the choices you make in every life may not be easy, but it is the most important step in the management of all health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease. What you eat, how active you are and what you put into your body is important, so read more about what to consider for your specific health needs in our Lifestyle section. - Manage and keep any other chronic health conditions well under control
These include in particular high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Ensure you use you use all prescribed medicines diligently and have regular check-ups with your treating healthcare professional.3 - Monitor your diabetes treatment targets
There are 2 measures that needs to be monitored to make sure your diabetes is well controlled, which is obtained from a blood test. It is your HbA1c and your blood glucose levels (both fasting and after meals). Make sure you keep records on your daily measurements of your glucose levels, and record what your latest HbA1c measurement is (this is only measured every 3-6 months).8
Glucose monitoring can be done with devices attached to your body that monitor your glucose levels continuously throughout the day, or by regularly (at least 4 times a day, before and/or after meals, before going to bed and upon waking up) doing a prick test and testing your drop of blood with a machine.8
How much of my daily life will be impacted by Diabetes, and what will the different stages and types be?
Treatment
Part of the management plan that your healthcare professional will discuss with you, is medication. Always remember, in order for you to obtain the best results from your medication, you have to make your lifestyle changes first.
For those with Type 2 Diabetes, you may either start treatment with only oral medication, or depending on the severity of the condition, even with insulin as well.4
For those with Type 1 Diabetes, your first treatment will include long-acting insulin to use once or twice a day, as well as short-acting insulin to use with meals.8
