Thursday 25 June 2015

Diabetes: Health Care Tips


General Tips

To stay healthy when you have diabetes, here’s what to do:
  • Follow your meal plan.
  • Follow your exercise and activity routine.
  • Take your medicines as directed.
  • Test your blood glucose regularly. Test more often when you are sick.
  • Keep your blood glucose as close to normal as possible. Blood glucose should be 70 to 130 before meals and no higher than 180 after meals. A1c test should be less than 7%.
  • Keep your blood pressure near normal. Try to keep it under under 140 / 80.
  • Keep your blood fats (cholesterol and other blood fats) near normal. Recommended target for total cholesterol is under 200, LDL under 100, HDL above 40 (men) and 50 (women), and triglycerides under 150. 
  • Do not smoke.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol.
  • Lose excess weight.
  • Check your feet and skin daily.
  • Brush and floss your teeth daily.
  • See your doctor regularly for:
      • Blood tests
      • Urine tests
      • Foot exams
      • Dilated eye exam
      • Blood pressure checks
  • See your dentist twice a year.
  • Get a flu shot every year.
  • Ask your doctor about getting a pneumonia vaccine.
  • Plan ahead for safe travel.
  • Meet often with the members of your health care team.
  • Keep updating your diabetes education.

Skin Care Tips

Diabetes may lead to skin problems that range from itching to infections that are hard to control. To reduce your chances for getting skin problems, take good care of your skin every day:
  • Bathe daily with mild soap and lukewarm water.
  • Apply a small amount of moisturizing lotion while your skin is moist.
  • Avoid scratches, punctures, and other injuries.
  • Wear gloves when you do work, like gardening, that may injure your hands.
  • Use sunscreen and good sense to avoid sunburn.
  • Prevent frostbite by dressing warmly. In very cold weather, avoid staying outdoors for long periods of time.
  • Treat injuries quickly. Wash all cuts and scrapes with soap and water. Cover them with a dry, sterile bandage.
  •  Call your doctor if a cut or scrape does not heal in a day or two or for any signs of infection:
      • Redness
      • Warmth
      • Swelling
      • Throbbing pain
      • Pus

Foot Care Tips

Special foot care is necessary when you have diabetes. Poor blood flow, nerve damage, and trouble fighting infections can make foot problems very serious. You can help prevent major foot problems by a daily routine of foot care:

Check your feet daily

  • Look at the tops and bottoms of your feet. Use a mirror if necessary, or have a family member check for you.
  • Look for cuts, scratches, cracks, calluses, or blisters.
  • Look for changes in color, shape, or temperature.
  • Call your doctor if you notice injuries or other changes. Your doctor may tell you to see a foot doctor. A foot doctor is called a podiatrist (po-DYE-uh-trist).

Wash your feet daily

  • Use mild soap and lukewarm water (90 degrees to 95 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • Do not soak your feet. (Soaking may cause dryness.)
  • Dry your feet well, especially between your toes.
  • Use foot powder if your feet sweat.

Take care of your toenails

  • Cut your toenails after bathing, while they are soft.
  • Cut toenails straight across, not into corners. Then smooth your nails with an emery board.
  • Do not cut your own toenails if you have a hard time seeing or your nails are too thick. Have a podiatrist trim them.

Protect your feet

  • Wear comfortable leather or canvas shoes that fit well.
  • Do not wear shoes that may cause a callus or blister.
  • Break in new shoes slowly. Wear them one or two hours at a time.
  • Do not go barefoot, even indoors.
  • Wear clean socks or stockings every day. Cotton or wool socks are best.
  • Never use sharp tools, chemicals, or foot soaks to remove corns or calluses. Have a
    podiatrist do this for you.

Keep the blood flowing well

  • Exercise daily. Do foot exercises. Exercise gives you better blood flow.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Keep your feet warm. Avoid heating pads or hot water bottles, which may burn your skin.
  • Do not wear garters or stockings with elastic tops.
Remind your doctor and diabetes educator to examine your feet! Take off your shoes and socks every time you see them.

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